Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 166. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOIOTIA, Kopai. Circa 500-425 BC. AR Obol (0.91 g). Boiotian shield / Forepart of bull butting right; KWP-AIWN downward on right; all within concave circle. Head, Boeotia p. 45, pl. IV, 1 = BMC 1, pl. VII, 4; Traité III 277, pl. CCII, 17; SNG Lockett 1716 = Pozzi 1370 = Pozzi (Boutin) 3184 (this coin). VF, old collection toning. Edge chipped in antiquity, now lightly crystallized. Extremely rare. ($750)

Ex Dr. J.S. Wilkinson Collection (Malter 49, 15 November 1992), lot 407; R.C. Lockett Collection (Glendining 27 May 1959), lot 1570 (part); Prof. S. Pozzi Collection (Naville-Ars Classica I, 14 March 1921), lot 1370.

This coin and the Khaironeia and Lebadeia late hemidrachms are arguably the rarest (and for this writer, the most desirable) amongst the smaller Boiotian coins. In nearly half a lifetime his success rate was only one in three. Hopefully the new owner of this coin will do better.