Triton XXII, Lot: 981. Estimate $2000. Sold for $2100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.83 g, 6h). Uncertain Spanish mint (Colonia Patricia?). Struck circa 18 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, head right, wearing oak wreath / DIVVS • IVLIV[S], comet with eight rays and tail. RIC I 102; RSC 98; BMCRE 357 = BMCRR Rome 4416; BN –. EF, light golden toning.

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.