Augustus

Denarius · Silver

RIC I² 102

Obverse

Head of Augustus, laureate, right

Reverse

Eight-rayed comet with tail upwards

Historical Note

The Sidus Iulium — the Julian Star — appeared in the sky for seven days during the funeral games for Julius Caesar in July 44 BC. The Romans interpreted it as Caesar's soul ascending to heaven, and Octavian seized on this interpretation to cement Caesar's deification and his own status as 'son of the divine Julius' (Divi Iuli filius). The eight-rayed comet appears on Augustan coins as one of his most powerful claims to divine descent.