Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 368. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOIOTIA, Thebes. Circa 460s-440s BC. AR Hemiobol (0.46 g, 7h). Half Boiotian shield; Q below / Amphora in square incuse. Bérend, Réflexions 9 corr. (this coin; Q not noted); SNG Fitzwilliam 2922 corr. (Q not noted). VF, lightly toned. ($300)

This hemiobol is not only extremely rare but also very unusual for incorporating the ethnic letter on the obverse, something otherwise unknown for Thebes. The style of the half shield is somewhat related to the shield of lot 424 below, which suggests that the first issues of the so called "mythological reverse staters" (see lots 413 to 425 below) could have started as early as 440 BC.