Ancient Coin Stories

Let coins tell their stories…

Athena | Dolphin | Poseidon | Trident
Achaia, Patrae
circa 45-40 BCE
Æ 18mm, 3,51g
Obv. Helmeted and draped bust of Athena right.
Rev. APICTAPXOC ΔAMWNOC ΠATPЄWN, Poseidon striding right, holding dolphin in left and thrusting trident with his right; to left, Patrae monogram.
BMC 5var; SNG Fitzwilliam 3563; BCD Peloponnesos 515

Patrai was the ancient city that is now Patras, the third largest city in Greece. I drove through the city on my way to the Peloponnese, though I didn’t stop. It has a very impressive bridge and several interesting museums, but I already had a very full day.

The city was a factor during the Mycenaean times and has been occupied for thousands of years. In 419 BCE, on the advice of Alkibiades, they constructed long walls similar to those at Athens. Later on, it was an important city in the Achaian League.

Interestingly, it wasn’t until deep into Roman times that the city minted its own coinage.

Athena | Cuirassed | Owl | Patera | Portrait | Shield | Spear | Temple
Achaea. Colony of Patrae
Commodus 177-192 CE
27.29mm 9.47g
Attribution: LHS 96 lot 565.2 (this coin)
Obverse: Laureate and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: Athena standing left in distyle temple, holding patera and spear with grounded shield; owl to left
Ex LHS Numismatics 96 – Coins of Peloponnesos / The BCD Collection (8-9 May 2006)
Ex BCD Collection
BCD 565.2; NCP page 78 no 6
Caduceus | Hermes | Portrait | Ram | Stag
Peloponnesos, Achaea, Patras
Caracalla 198-217 CE
AE 18.39mm 4.66g
Obverse: M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head right
Reverse: COL AAI PATR, Hermes sitting left on rock holding kerykeion; ram that looks like a stag before
SNG Copenhagen 204; NCP page 82 no 16
Dolphin | Portrait | Poseidon | Trident
Achaia, Patrae
Lucius Verus 161-169 CE
Assarion AE 20mm, 5.54g, 12h
IMP CAES L AVREL VERVS AVG Laureate head of Lucius Verus to right
Rev. COL A A PATRA Nude Neptune/Poseidon standing to left, with his foot on a rock, holding a dolphin and trident
BCD Peloponnesos I 559.4 (same dies). RPC IV.1 9645 (temporary). NCP p. 81 11
Ex collection of John Aiello
Ex Frank Kovacs October 1976
419 BCE

Patrai is connected with its harbor by long walls.

314 BCE

Aristodemos, a general of Antigonos Monophthalmos, frees Patrai from its garrison of Kassander.

284 BCE

Patrai and Dyme found the Achaian League.

280 BCE

he Achaean League is revived, with Aegira, Heraia, Patrai, and Dyme active members.

220 BCE

The Social War begins, pitting members of the Achaian League, including Aegira, Patrai, Dyme, Bura, Sikyon, Corinth, Megalopolis, Messenia, Argos, Elis, and Macedon, against Sparta under King Kleomenes III, who were supported by the Aetolian League and Athens.

200 BCE-
197 BCE

During the Second Macedonian War between Rome and Philip V of Macedon, Aegira, the Aetolian League, Corinth, Sikyon, Patrai, Athens, Pergamon, and Rhodes support Rome.

146 BCE

The Achaian League is defeated by Rome at the Battle of Skarpheia. Corinth is destroyed and Dyme, Patrai, Sikyon, Bura, Megalopolis, Thebes, Pellene, and Aegira come under the control of Rome. Las is recognized as independent.