Æ28 - Commodus COL A A PATR

Patras held the distinction of being Rome's oldest and most important colonial foundation in Achaea, established by Augustus around 14 BC and settled with veterans of the Legio X Equestris and others. Its colonial status — reflected directly in the COL AA PATR legend — gave the city the right to strike bronze coinage on the Roman model, a privilege not automatically extended to Greek cities under imperial administration. Provincial bronze of this type circulated locally as small change while the imperial silver supply remained thin in the region.