The Sidus lulium
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Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD). AR Denarius, Spanish mint, 19-18 BC. Obv. CAESAR AVGVSTVS. Oak-wreathed head left. Rev. DIVVS - IVLIVS. Eight-rayed comet with tail (coma) upwards. RIC I (2nd ed.) 37b. 3.67 g. 20.5 mm. R. Rare. Well centred on a broad flan. Insignificant banker's marks on both sides. Nice light toning, with golden hues. Good VF/VF. This denarius reflects Augustus’ use of his coinage to convey a political message. The obverse shows him wearing the corona civica, an oak wreath awarded to an individual who had personally saved a citizen (in Augustus' case it was the citizen body of the Roman world). The reverse depicts the comet which made a continuous daylight appearance during July 44 BC, and was associated with the deification of Julius Caesar. (Triton XI, 2008, 731 note).