Lot 4794

Description

Augustus, (27 B.C. - A.D. 14), silver denarius, uncertain Spanish mint (Colonia Caesar Augusta), issued 19-18 B.C. (2.72 g), obv. laureate head of Augustus to right around CAESAR AVGVSTVS, rev. DIVVS IVL[IVS], across to left and right of eight ray comet with tail upwards, (cf.S.1607, RIC 37a, RSC 98, BMC 323). Portrait extremely fine, rough field near the edges from corrosion, coin dull in patination, light weight and rare.

Ex Dr. Adrian Carr Collection and purchased from Walter Holt in 2002 with his ticket. This coin comes from a Roman galley found in the Adriatic c.1995 and the wreck it is believed was dated using this and one other coin.
The Julian star was the comet that appeared in the heavens shortly after the death of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. It was taken as a sign of the late dictator's divinity. Scientific astronomical calculations have proved that a comet did in fact appear shortly after Caesar's death.