BOEOTIA, Thebes. Circa 379-368 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 12.18 g). Theog-, magistrate. VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 279. Estimated: $ 500

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 3 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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BOEOTIA, Thebes. Circa 379-368 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 12.18 g). Theog-, magistrate. Boeotian shield / Amphora; above, kerykeion left; ΘE-OΓ across field; all within concave circle. BCD Boiotia 503; Hepworth 58; HGC 4, 1331. Old cabinet toning, small deposit. VF. Well centered.

From the Thomas Palmer Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 39 (18 September 1996), lot 451; Auctiones AG 24 (23 June 1994), lot 198.

The silver staters of the Boeotian Confederacy of the 4th century are well known to collectors and Hellenists of all stripes. These staters, struck on the Aiginetan standard of about 12 grams, bear on the obverse a Boeotian shield, which differed from the traditional circular Greek aspis in having two cutouts at the sides, through which the spear (dory) could be thrust. The reverse usually depicts an amphora, the ubiquitous Greek pottery vessel used for transporting and storing liquids or dry goods, with the addition of magistrate names and, on occasion, vines hanging from the handles or extra symbols positioned above or below. Although the coins do not bear the mark of an issuing city, Thebes, as hegemon of the Boeotian Confederacy, was most likely responsible for their issuance. For a few decades in the mid-fourth century BC, Thebes was the dominant power on the Greek mainland, with its coinage nearly supplanting the “owls” of Athens and the “pegasi” of Corinth as the primary medium of trade.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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