Triton XIV, Lot: 617. Estimate $5000. Sold for $4500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.88 g, 5h). Spanish mint - Tarraco. Struck circa 18 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, laureate head right / DIVVS • IVLIVS across field, comet with eight rays and tail. RIC I 102; RSC 98; BMCRE 357 = BMCRR Rome 4416; BN p. 196 *. Superb EF, toned. Bold strike.

The ‘Julian star’ was the comet that appeared in the evening skies shortly after the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. This was taken as a sign of his divinity.