Which star is this, on the South African shilling?
Since the figure is hope, the star is likely to be the
North star, the sailor's hope, as it is a bright star, it can be used for celestial navigation and it is one of the symbols for the virgin Mary (Stella Maris), who, in turn, is also a symbol of hope.
However, if you want to argue that hope refers to the Cape of Good Hope, therefore the star must be the (much fainter)
South Star, that's fine with me.
I think the stars on the Irish punt symbolise celestial navigation. There can be little doubt that the Norsemen knew it, but I am not sure if the Irish knew it.
Peter