Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (20mm, 3.45 gm, 5h). NGC XF 5/5 - 1/5, bankers mark, scratches. Spanish mint (Caesaraugusta?), 19-18 BC. CAESAR-AVGVSTVS, head of Augustus right, wreathed with oak / DIVVS-IVLIVS, eight-rayed comet with tail upwards. RIC I 37a. Delightful portrait and deep cabinet toning which accentuates the features of a comet illuminating the sky. From the Historical Scholar Collection A comet that appeared in summer 44 BC was held to signal Julius Caesar's ascension to the heavens, and proved quite useful in Octavian's effort to get the Senate to deify his adoptive father. The memory of Caesar's deification was revived in connection with Augustus' proposal to hold the Saecular Games in 17 BC, and the "Julian star" is featured on his coinage in the years leading up to the event.

HID09801242017

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