Ancient Coin Stories

Let coins tell their stories…

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.

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.