Lot 4922

Description

Boiotia, Federal Coinage, Uncertain Mint (Thebes?), Silver drachm, 304-294 B.C., (5.48 grams), obv. Boiotian shield, rev. amphora within incuse square, without pellets or letters, (S.-, BCD 62 [p.22, Triton IX, similar dies), Head, Head "Boeotia" p.57 [Pl.IV, 22], cf.BMC 17 [p.34, Pl.V, 8], cf.SNG Cop. 262). Toned, nearly extremely fine, well centred both sides and very rare.

Ex BCD Collection and from the Olga H. Knoepke, New Town, Conn., Collection sold on December 10, 1986 "Coins of Ancient Greece" at Glendining’s, London (lot 198 illustrated, sold for total of Å“235). Lot includes photos and tickets from both collectors. Another BCD Collection example sold in Triton IX, Classical Numismatic Group Auction, New York, January 10, 2006 (lot 62) realised $1200 + 15%US. This enigmatic series of coins which were dated far too early by Head (who had no hoard information) were probably struck when Demetrius Poliorcetes "liberated" Thebes, or during the decade that followed. The Talanta (1948) hoard (CH III, 31), with a burial date of c. 280 B.C, would point to a minting date for these coins of circa 300 B.C. They are almost never encountered well centered on both sides and sharply struck at the same time, which also speaks for their late date. Head dated them to 387-374 B.C. For Head’s listing of these coins see Head, Boeotia, pp. 57-60.