Watch List notes:

PAPHLAGONIA. Sinope. Pseudo-autonomous issue. AE (Bronze, 16 mm, 2.84 g), CY 19 (?) = 28/7 BC. •XI[X...] / C•I•F Capricorn to right, holding globe attached to rudder between front hooves and bearing cornucopiae on back. Rev. Sidus Iulium: eight-rayed comet with tail upwards. RPC -, cf. 2116 (similar reverse, but with head of Augustus and the date 23 = 24/3 BC on the obverse). Unpublished and of great historical interest. Repatinated, otherwise, very fine.


This coin was struck shortly after Octavian's victory against Marc Antony. By showing the capricorn of Augustus and the famous Sidus Iulium, Caesar's Comet which appeared in the night sky in July of 44 BC, Sinope pledged public loyalty to the ultimate winner of the war.