Lot 5070

Description

Boiotia, Thebes, (390-382 B.C.), silver stater, Andr.. (Androkleidas) Magistrate, (11.41 grams), issued 379-368 B.C., obv. Boiotian shield, rev. amphora, in concave field, wreath above, across letters AN **D*P either side, wreath above, (cf.S.2398, Hepworth Series A3, No.3 [same reverse die], BCD 500 [p.95], Myron hoard Pl.**G* 31-32, cf.BMC 112 [p.80, Pl.XV, 1]), Mionnet II 16 [p.100], SNG Cop. 315). Large flan, very fine and very scarce.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction Sale 148 (lot 72) and BCD Collection who obtained it from the Pegasi Coins, (Ann Arbor, Ml) from their Mail Bid Sale 82 (lot 47) October 11, 1993 (lot 47). Robert Hepworth "The 4th Century B.C. Magistrate Coinage of the Boiotian Confederacy pp.61-89 (Nom Khron). Hellenic Numismatic Society, 1998) describes the series as having 97 different reverse varieties noted from 1700 examples recorded from all the sources. The series is divided into four major groups with sub-division within. It is established by die-links and hoard evidence of the approximate order of issue. The series appears to have an annual change of magistrates. This variety is noted by Hepworth as part of Group A3, No.3 in table with a rarity of 21-50 known examples. BCD notes that the role of Androkleidas as one of the insurrection in leading Theban nationalists and his eventual exile and assasination in Athens. (see Hepworth Epaminondas pp.38-39 in Proceedings of the 10th International Congress London, 1986). BCD further speculates on the large flan of this coinage issue as having a special significance which relates to the closing stages of the power struggle that was taking place in Thebes before 382 B.C. It culminated in the Spartan intervention and seizure of Kadmeia in that year.