MACEDON. Philippi. Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. As (Bronze, 26 mm, 10.08 g, 12 h). COL•AVG•IVL• PHIL•IVSSV•AVG Laureate head of Augustus to right. Rev. AVG•DIVI•F - DIVO•IVL Statue of Augustus, in military attire, standing left with his right hand raised, being crowned by Divus Julius Caesar, togate, standing behind him, on central pedestal base flanked by two altars. RPC I online 1650. SNG ANS 683. A beautiful piece with a wonderful portrait of Augustus. Somewhat smoothed, otherwise, good very fine.



The obverse legend translates as 'Julio-Augustan colony of Philippi, by order of Augustus,' referring to the foundation of the colonia at Philippi. In fact, a colony had already been established by Mark Antony after the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. After Octavian defeated him in 31/30 BC, he settled additional Italic colonists there and renamed the city Colonia Augusta Iulia Philippensis, effectively appropriating Antony’s foundation for himself.