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PAPHLAGONIA

Located in northern Anatolia, stretching along the Black Sea coast, Paphlagonia lies between Bithynia and Pontus. The region takes its name from the Paphlagonians, believed to have inhabited the area since the 12th century BCE. Geographically, it encompasses the northern parts of Kastamonu, Sinop, and Çankırı.

Thanks to its rugged and mountainous terrain, the region largely remained isolated from the influence of Central Anatolia and preserved a significant degree of its local identity throughout history. Homer mentions the Paphlagonians as allies of Priam in the Trojan War, indicating their deep-rooted history.

Paphlagonian Mints

The geographical and political fragmentation of the region was also reflected in its coinage. Mints were generally concentrated in important coastal trade centers and in the capitals of local rulers in the interior. Sinope was the region's most important Hellenistic and Roman period mint. Amastris was a flourishing coastal city during the Pontic period. Pompeiopolis was an important Roman city in the interior.

Sinope and Local Autonomy - From Independence to Pontic Rule

Paphlagonian coinage exhibits a rich diversity, reflecting the region's political and cultural evolution.

  • Autonomy of Sinope: Sinope, the heart of the region's numismatics, minted its own silver and bronze coins from the 5th century BCE onwards. Coin types reflect the city's maritime and commercial identity:

    • Obverse: Typically depicts an eagle or the City Goddess (Tyche), whose head is often within an eagle's head headdress (emblem).

    • Reverse: Features a depiction of the sea god Poseidon (or a river god) or fish figures, such as a tuna, symbolizing trade.

  • Regional Kings (Pylaimenes Dynasty): Coins minted in the name of the local Pylaimenes family (especially Kottos), who dominated the interior regions of Paphlagonia in the 4th century BCE, illustrate the region's pre-Hellenistic local administrative structure. These coins generally feature simple designs.

  • Influence of the Kingdom of Pontus: From the 3rd century BCE onwards, the region came under the rule of the Kingdom of Pontus (especially Mithridates VI Eupator). During this period, Paphlagonian mints began striking coins in the Pontic style, indicating the region's loss of political independence and its integration into Hellenistic Pontic culture. However, coastal cities (especially Sinope) occasionally revolted against Mithridates, attempting to maintain their tradition of striking their own autonomous coinage.