Lot 3878

Description

Boiotia, Boiotian League, Federal Coinage, AE 15, 225-171 B.C., (3.58 grams), Obv. Boiotian shield, club across one end, Rev. trace of BOI**WTWN* on right downwards, Nike standing left, resting on trident and holding a patera, (BCD 145 [p.35, Triton IX, issued 225-171 B.C.], Head 'Boeotia' p.90 [Pl.VI, 8 corrected] = BMC 105 [p.43, Pl.VI, 11 corrected patera not wreath], Imhoof-Blumer 'Boeotiens' 33 [line drawing], SNG Cop. 394 [corrected patera not wreath, club not across shield], Sear 2414 [p.227]). Dark brown patina. Good very fine and extremely rare.

Ex BCD Collection (lot 629l, Triton IX, illustrated) as noted in the BCD catalogue the wreath on the drachms became a patera on the bronzes and was not noted by either BMC or Copenhagen. Imhoof-Blumer however noted it and corrected the BM catalogue on p.13 of article. These extremely rare coins were an attempt by the mint to issue a 1 and 1/2 chalkous coin. The one chalkous issue of the shield/trident issue are common an extensively circulated throughout Boiotia.