Did someone say Elephants?

 

This last replica of a gold coin commemorates King Juba II.  The original coin was minted in Gades, Spain.  As a matter of fact, there are several mint casts that bear the name GADES.  We know from Pliny and Strabo that Juba II had political pull in Gades located at the mouth of the Baetis River in Iberia.  We know by reading history, King Juba II had a fascination with elephants.  He wrote an 8 volume set about this amazing animal which is now lost.  Today's scholars are only now beginning to understand this amazing animal.  Is it possible that Juba II knew then what the scholars are learning today?  The bottom coin is deciphered in the Ancient American magazine Issue #16.

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