A silver denarius of Augustus showing a comet
Coin from the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney, NM2004.2540. Scanned by Madeline Robinson.
A silver denarius struck in 19-18 BC at a mint located in Spain.
Obverse
- Denominations This issue is a denarius, a denomination used widely within the Roman world.
- Augustus Augustus is depicted with a 'civic crown' of oak leaves, awarded for saving Roman citizens by ending the constant civil wars.
- Legend CAESAR AVGVSTVS. The former Gaius Octavianus (and then Gaius Julius Caesar the Younger) took on the name Augustus after his victory against Antony and Cleopatra in the civil war.
Reverse
- Comet The comet represents the star that appeared in the sky after Julius Caesar's death
- Legend DIVVS IVLIVS
Reference
The scholarly reference for this coin is RIC I (second edition) Augustus 37A.