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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Amit Vyas, post: 8121228, member: 117268&quot;]Not the best example, but I definitely wanted one of this type. Was likely worn as an amulet by someone (a soldier, perhaps) soliciting the protection of the divine soul of Julius Caesar.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Augustus (27 BC-AD 14), Denarius, Spanish mint (Colonia Caesaraugusta), struck 19-18 BC, RIC I 37b; RSC 97 (2.9 g, 19.5 mm)</b></p><p><br /></p><p><i>When beggars die there are no comets seen; </i></p><p><i>The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.</i></p><p>(William Shakespear, <i>Julius Caesar</i>, Act II, Scene 2)</p><p><br /></p><p>In 44 BC, following the murder of Julius Caesar, a comet bright enough to be seen in daytime&nbsp; appeared for seven days near the beginning of the <i>Ludi Victoriae Caesaris </i>(Games of the Victorious Caesar), a festival held in honour of Julius Caesar.</p><p><br /></p><p>Octavian used this opportunity to spread propaganda that the comet was Caesar’s soul ascending to the heavens, and convinced the Senate to deify Caesar. Octavian, being the adoptive son of Caesar, himself took the title “Divi Filius” (son of a god).</p><p><br /></p><p>In 42 BC, a temple of the Deified Julius Caesar was built for fostering a &quot;cult of the comet&quot;.&nbsp; At the back of the temple a huge statue of Caesar, with a flaming comet affixed to its forehead, was erected.</p><p><br /></p><p>Coins of this type were struck in Spain in 18 BC, before the <i>Ludi Saeculares</i> (the Centennial Games), after Octavian had adopted the title “Augustus”.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Obverse</b>: CAESAR (AVG)VSTV(S). Head of Augustus left, wearing oak wreath</p><p><b>Reverse</b>: DIVVS • IVLIVS across field, comet with eight rays and tail</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1413992[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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