Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 203. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOIOTIA, Orchomenos. Circa 475-425 BC. AR Obol (0.90 g). Wheat grain, sprouting end upward; E-P across lower field / Aeginetan-style skew pattern incuse. Head, Boeotia p. 24; Imhoof-Blumer, Boeotiens, p. 23, 70 and pl. I, 70 (this coin). Near EF, perfectly centered and struck, lovely smooth chocolate brown patina. Overstruck, traces of undertype along edge on reverse. A very desirable coin with a long pedigree. ($1000)

Ex Münzen und Medaillen 54 (26 October 1978), lot 222; Hess-Leu 31 (6 December 1966), lot 303; Agustin Diaz Ordoñes Collection (J. Schulman FPL LXII, 1915), no. 211; Consul Weber Collection (J. Hirsch XXI, 16 November 1908), lot 1539; Walcher de Molthein Collection, 1411.

The intriguing leftover of the undertype on the reverse looks like the floral ornament we encounter on the early drachms of Sikyon (see SNG Copenhagen 19). This type of floral reverse though is not known in Sikyonian smaller denominations. Schulman is the only one who noticed this detail but he thought it was an "Akrostolion?" and part of the reverse design! One wonders if the past owners had any other ideas....