Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 1188. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004.  Sold For $11500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MAURETANIA. Ptolemy. 24-40 AD. Æ 36mm (23.27 gm). Dated year 17 (39/40 AD). REX IVBA REGIS IVBAE F, diademed draped bust of Juba II left / R PTOL A XVII, eagle standing right on thunderbolt, wings displayed. MAA 360; Müller 111; Mazard 389. Good VF, tan patina with some pitting. Extremely rare and probably the finest known. ($5000)

From the Tony Hardy Collection.

For almost fifty years Ptolemy's father, Juba II, maintained order in North Africa as one of Rome's most loyal client kings. He had been given Cleopatra's daughter, Cleopatra Selene as a wife by a grateful Augustus, and their son Ptolemy succeeded him in 24 AD. Ptolemy was not the strong leader his father had been, and increasing restiveness among the tribes led to the outbreak of several revolts, which he could not quell. Ptolemy was called to Rome for consultations in 40 AD, where he was murdered by the unstable emperor Gaius Caligula. Mauritania was formally annexed to the empire in 44 AD, and the revolts were brutally crushed by Roman legions. These rare coins in the name of "Ptolemy, son of King Juba" affirm the continuity of the Mauritanian dynasty and its long dedication to the "Roman Peace" of Augustus at a time when strains were opening in the relationship between overlord and client king. The death of Ptolemy marked the final end of the dynasty begun by his illustrious ancestor, Ptolemy I Soter.