Description
Greece. Boeotia. Thebes. Epaminondas (?). Stater ca. 364-362 BC. Silver 12.26 g.; 22.9 mm.
Obverse: Boeotian shield // Reverse: Amphora with rosette above, all within concave circle. Reverse caption: EΠ-AMI
HGC: 4-1333.
Beautiful specimen, having been cleaned but beautifully re-patinated with powerful golden tones, particularly around the Boeotian shield! The 5 letters of the magistrate's name are clearly visible, which is rare. Unfortunately, we must point out two flan breaks, one on the shield and another on the reverse to the right of the amphora. The flan is quite thick, but very cracked slightly when struck at 3h. Note that the reverse die has been re-engraved and originally indicated the magistrate's name EΠ-ΠA, the letters ΠA are still clearly legible under AM. The reuse of the reverse die is also evident from the numerous small breaks in the rose petals, as well as in the amphora's handles.
NGC graded Ch AU Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5. Flan flaws. Rare
Provenance Details
Ex CNG Triton XIII, 5 January 2010, lot 1201.
From the Pythagoras Collection.
Comment
Recent studies suggest that this coinage is attributable to the famous Theban general and statesman Epaminondas, who died at the Battle of Mantinea in 362 BC, where the Thebans and Spartans fought for hegemony over Central Greece. The man is remembered for the crucial role he played in the rise of Thebes as a major Greek city in the first half of the 4th century BC. However, his death led to the decline of the city, without this skilful politician and without his successors who died on the same day.
Thebes made peace with its enemies, unable to exploit its victory, thus paving the way for Philip II of Macedonia to conquer the regions and cities then allied with Thebes, starting with Thessaly around 352 BC, towards complete domination in 338 BC with the battle of Chaeronea.
Hepworth, Epaminondas pl. 3, 3 (same rev. die); Hepworth 32 (same rev. die); BCD Boeotia 543 (same dies); HGC 4, 1333; Traité III 267, pl. CCI, 16 (same rev. die).
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