Triton XIX, Lot: 333. Estimate $5000. Sold for $9000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MAURETANIA. Kleopatra Selene. Queen, wife of Juba II, 25 BC-AD 24. Æ Unit (31.5mm, 17.49 g, 7h). KΛEOΠA[TPA] BACIΛICCA, diademed and draped bust left / [K]ΛEOΠATPA [B]ACIΛICCA, crocodile standing left. MAA 214; Mazard 395; Müller, Afrique 104; SNG Copenhagen 612. VF, green and brown patina, light smoothing. Very rare, and among the finest.

Cleopatra Selene, along with her brothers Alexander Helios and Ptolemy Philadelphos, were brought to Rome following Octavian’s victory at Actium. Cleopatra’s hand was given to Juba II, Augustus’ loyal client king, sometime between 26 and 20 BC. The date of her death is a matter of debate, possibly occurring sometime around AD 4 or as late as 17. Her brothers presumably died in childhood, either naturally or by assassination.