Nomos 14

KINGS of NUMIDIA. Juba I, Circa 60-46 BC. Drachm (Silver, 18mm, 3.60 g 12), Utica. REX IVBA Diademed, bearded, draped and cuirassed bust of Juba I to right, scepter over his right shoulder. Rev. (Punic legend) Octastyle temple with a flat roof and a small, central, pedimented tower. MAA 29. Mazard 84. SNG Copenhagen 523. Attractively toned and with a striking portrait. Some flatness, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

From the Stoecklin Collection, bought from Hess AG in Luzern.

Juba I was the son Hiempsal II of Numidia and was an ally of Pompey’s. During the wars Juba’s forces defeated and killed Caesar’s lieutenant Curio at the Battle of the Bagradas in 49. With the arrival of Caesar in Africa the situation changed and Juba brought his army to aid of Metellus Scipio (see the proceeding lot), but fled with his troops when he saw that Scipio was clearly defeated at Thapsus in 46. Trapped by Caesarian forces he and his ally the Roman general Marcus Petreius decided to commit suicide by fighting each other: Petreiius killed Juba and then committed suicide with the help of a slave.