Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 339. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $575. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOIOTIA, Thebes. 525-480 BC. AR Drachm (6.08 g). Boiotian shield, rim divided into eight segments / Square incuse with Maltese cross pattern in relief (similar to late archaic Tanagra). SNG Cop. 187 corr. (Haliartos). Good VF, even grey tone. Very rare variety. ($750)

Ex Dr. Richard P. Ariagno Collection (Bowers and Ruddy 9 June 1980), lot 111.

The earliest drachms of Thebes with the shield divided into segments are very rare indeed. Apparently the segmented rim came into fashion during the second period of coinage, where it is quite common among the staters with the Theta on the reverse.