Æ27 - Commodus COL A A PATR

Patras held the status of a Roman colony — Colonia Aelia Augusta Patrensis — granted under Hadrian, which explains the COL A A in the legend and the city's unusually close administrative ties to Rome during the Antonine period. Provincial bronzes struck here under Commodus reflect a mint that was actively asserting its colonial identity at a moment when Commodus himself was systematically dismantling senatorial authority back in the capital. He renamed Rome "Colonia Commodiana" in 192, the final year this coin's date range covers — months before his assassination on New Year's Eve.