Octavian (41-27 BC). Macedon, Bisaltia. Æ (20mm, 7g). PRINCEPS FELIX Bare head of Octavian. R/ COLONIA IVLIA II V IR VE TER Two humped oxen pulling plow. FITA 244–5, Bellinger 199, App. 2, Seyrig, RN 1969, 49–52 RPC I. 4083 (uncertain colonie in Cilicia). Good VF and very rare.
COLONIA IULIA PRINCEPS FELIX: The person who gave, after the battle of Philippi (42 BC) monetary existence and name to this Roman colonie (clerouchia) was Octavian. Evidently impressed by the advantages of Bisaltia, he called it PRINCEPS FELIX! He had in his mind something of a Paradise on Earth, something so elevated, an ideal place for one to live, to be happy and thus enjoy true bliss! Even before his coronation as Augustus, Octavian minted coins thus inaugurating a line that lasted down to emperor Claudius. Due to this Roman clerouchia, there was created an offshoot to the Egnatia Road for the obvious reason of facilitating the transportation of agricultural products from this region. TRINLO (Trailos -Aidonochori), GRAERO (Graia - Nigrita), ARASON (Arolos - Nikokleia) and EUPORIA (Euporia – Kalokastro) were the four stations that served the colonie.