Æ23 - Nero GEN COL NER PAT

Patras held the unusual distinction of being one of the few Greek cities granted formal colonial status by Augustus, refounded as Colonia Aroe Patrensis around 14 BC and populated partly with veterans. That colonial identity — rather than any pretense of Greek civic continuity — explains the Latin legends and Roman formulaic titulature on this issue. The abbreviation GEN COL NER PAT invokes the genius of the Neronian colony specifically, a localized religious-civic formula.

Provincial bronze of this colonial type from Achaea is underrepresented in major collections relative to eastern provincial issues.