Letters on Reverse of Thebes Stater

[Nathan P]

I recently picked up the coin attached and am trying to figure out what the Θ-E on the reverse is referring to. I don't think it's a magistrate, as Θ-E seems to be on a lot of Thebes' coins, particularly the ones prior to 400 BC. Is it just short for Boeotia? Thanks.

It's also in my gallery here:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=47002&pos=0

[curtislclay]

I think ΘE is abbreviated from ΘEBAIΩN, "Belonging to the People of Thebes".

[Nathan P]

Thanks so much for your help!

[Altamura]

By the way: Your coin has a little auction history:
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3346701
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=736122

Regards

Altamura

[Nathan P]

Thanks, it keeps coming back to CNG for some reason. I can assure you it won't be there (or anywhere else) again for a long, long time!

[n.igma]

Its not unusual for coins to be recycled back into the numismatic market, often through the same dealer, every five years or so. Many, if not most people's collecting focus or interest is fickle. It'd be interesting to know the average holding time in a collection.

[Meepzorp]

Hi folks,

Unfortunately, what n is stating is true. I've seen it many times.

I wonder how many of those people were really in it for the enjoyment of the hobby. In my opinion (and I have no hard evidence to support this), I feel that these people only bought those coins for financial reasons. They purchased ancient coins as an investment, and they were looking to turn a profit. Many of the individuals who fall into this category tend to be extremely wealthy.

However, that is certainly not the case with me. I very rarely, if ever, sell an ancient coin. I've probably sold less than 1% of my collection. And the only reason I sold those coins is because the coin was mis-attributed by the dealer, and once I corrected the attribution, I realized that I already had an example of that issue. It was a duplicate.

Meepzorp

[stevex6]

Wow Nathan, that's a super new OP-coin (congrats, my coin-friend)

Yah, I love the coins from Boeotia (total winners)

I still have a couple and I've sold-off a few ... these are/were my sweet Boeotia babies (I hope that you like 'em)

[Nathan P]

My hope is that one of my sons or (eventual) grandchildren ends up loving ancient history as much as me and feels a connection to the collection I continue to amass so I can pass it on. So many incredible stories behind the places and people whose hands these coins touched. I'm actually in the investment business, but that's certainly not why I buy these coins. It's my way of connecting to this time and these people who lived such incredibly different, tumultuous lives than me. 

Really beautiful coins by the way, Steve. The detail on the stater's amphora is terrific!

[stevex6]

 

Thanks Nathan

Cheers, coin-bro