Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (21mm, 3.59 gm, 5h). NGC XF 4/5 - 4/5. Spain, Caesaraugusta (?), 19-18 BC. CAESAR-AVGVSTVS, head of Augustus right wearing oak wreath / DIVVS-IVLIVS, eight-rayed comet with tail upwards. RIC I 37a. BMCRE 323-5 (Gaul 135-7). RSC 98. Well centered example of this very popular issue. 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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