Æ23 - Hadrian COL L IVL CORINT

Hadrian visited Corinth at least twice — in 124/125 and again in 128/129 AD — and the colony's bronze coinage intensified noticeably around these visits. The designation COL L IVL CORINT on this issue reflects Corinth's formal status as Colonia Laus Iulia Corinthiensis, the Roman colony refounded by Julius Caesar in 44 BC on the ruins of the city the Romans had razed in 146 BC.

Hadrian's particular interest in Greek culture made Corinth a significant stop on his eastern tours, and civic bronzes of this period likely served as much for local prestige as for everyday exchange.