By Jeremy Bostwick – Senior Numismatist & Cataloger, Stack’s Bowers ……Juba was born in North Africa around 48 BCE, named after his father, Juba I, the king of Numidia. Following the assassination of Caesar in 44 BCE, Caesar’s grand-nephew and heir, Octavianus (Octavian), would eventually befriend Juba. Antony and Cleopatra were married, and Cleopatra gave birth to fraternal twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra II Selene. Further solidifying their friendship along with linking two great African dynasties, Augustus–Octavian’s new name following the commencement of the empire–arranged a marriage of Juba II to Cleopatra II Selene sometime between 26 and 20 BCE. will present a rather exceptional silver denarius of Juba II, struck circa 11 CE, featuring a portrait of the king on the obverse and a mighty North African elephant on the reverse.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 29, 2019 14:26 UTC