ACHAIA, Patrai. Circa 40-35 BC. Æ Hemiobol or Hexachalkon (23mm, 7.99 g, 12h). Nikostratos, son of Kallistrates, magistrate. Bearded head of Herakles right, wearing tainia / Athena advancing right, holding shield and spear; palm to left, Patrai monogram to right, NIKOCTPATOC KAΛΛICTPATOY ΠATPЄωN around. BCD Peloponnesos 518-20. VF, dark green-brown patina. Well struck.
Ex BCD Collection (not in previous BCD sales).
Located along the northern coast of the Peloponnesos, Achaia was a narrow territory between Sicyon and Elis. One theory suggests that Achaia’s original inhabitants were driven to the area from Achaia Phthoitis, which itself was located across the Gulf of Corinth in southern Thessaly. A number of prehistoric and Mycenaean ruins in the western part of the Achaia indicate that the district was long inhabited, even into remote antiquity. Twelve city-states were located there: Aigai, Aigira, Aigion, Bura, Dyme, Helike, Olenos, Patrai, Pherai, Pelene, Rhypes, and Tritaia. Achaian colonies were established in Magna Graecia at Kroton, Kaulonia, Metapontion, and Sybaris. From the mid-5th century onward, much of the history of Achaia is interconnected with the Achaian League.
