coin

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Object Type
Museum number: 1860,0330.22
Denomination: denarius
Description: Silver coin. (whole); Head of Augustus, wearing oak-wreath, left. (obverse); Comet with eight rays and tail upwards. (reverse)
State
Authority
Cultures/periods
Production date: 19BC-18BC
Production place: Minted in: Spain; Minted in: Caesaraugusta (possibly)
Materials
Dimensions: Die-axis: 5 o'clock; Weight: 3.82 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: In 44 BC, following the death of Julius Caesar, a comet appeared in the heavens over Rome and was accepted to be a manifestation of the divine soul of Julius Caesar. It was thought to herald a new age of peace and prosperity. Augustus used this event to emphasize his familial association with the deified Julius.
Bibliographic references: RE1 / Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol. 1: Augustus to Vitellius (326, p.59); RIC1 / The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 1 (37b, p.44); RR2 / Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum, vol. 2. Coinages of Rome (continued), Roman Campania, Italy, the social war, and the provinces. (138, p.422)
Location: On display (G68/dc2/p4)
Subjects: emperor/empress; comet/meteor
Associated names: Named in inscription & portrayed: Augustus (Octavian); Named in inscription: Julius Caesar
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1860
Department: Coins and Medals
Registration number: 1860,0330.22
C&M catalogue number: RE1 (59) (326); RR2 (422) (138)

Free entry