Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 318. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $375. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOIOTIA, Thebes. 525-480 BC. AR Drachm (5.32 g). Boiotian shield / Small quadripartite incuse square, two opposing quarters with a triangle in relief. This variety of reverse unpublished in the standard references. Near VF, slight granularity, small traces of find patina. ($300)

6th century Thebes did not have its eyes set on the world as it happened later, during the time of Epaminondas. Drachms were quite adequate for its internal money circulation, which was all that mattered before the Persians arrived. The unique (Weber 3236) stater which is now in the British Museum must have been part of a very small issue, probably struck for a specific purpose which could have something to do with the treaty between the Persians and Thebes.