164, Lot: 101. Estimate $100. Sold for $225. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MAURETANIA. Cleopatra Selene. 25 BC - AD 6. AR “Denarius” (20mm, 3.81 g). 19th century fantasy. KLEOPATRA AIGIPTOS BASILISSA, veiled bust right, tiny uraeus crown on head / AEGIPTOS, crocodile to left; 44 punched into exergue. Good VF, toned.

This odd piece copies no known ancient original. All the Mauritanian types with portraits of Cleopatra Selene join her with her husband Juba II, to whom she was married by Augustus after the downfall of her parents Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony. It demonstrates the 19th century antiquarian taste for creating coins that “should” exist to fill gaps in collections.