Triton XV, Lot: 1488. Estimate $10000. Sold for $9500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Augustus, with Divus Julius Caesar. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.86 g, 6h). Tarraco(?) mint. Struck circa 18 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, laureate head right / DIVVS • IVLIVS, comet with eight rays and tail. RIC I 102 (Colonia Patricia?); RSC 98; BMCRE 357; BN p. 196 *, pl. LIV, c. Superb EF, toned. Well centered and boldly struck. Exceptional silver quality.

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.