Pontic coinage

Pontic coinage probably began during the reign of Mithridates II of Pontus, in the 3rd century BC. Early Pontic coinage imitated Macedonian coinage with Alexander the Great's portraits. Later coinage is well known for its high degree of realism in portraits of the Pontic kings, who were proud of their Iranian ancestry. Pontic coin portraiture developed in an artistic environment that was relatively isolated from wider Hellenistic tradition. However, Mithridates V and his son Mithridates VI partially abandoned oriental influences in coin portraiture.

Pontic mints experimented with new materials for coinage. Pure copper and brass were used in mints during the reign of Mithridates VI. Some of the earliest known coins made from brass are from his mints. Mithridates VI's rule and wars resulted in a wide expansion in the number of mints and struck coinage. Earlier Pontic coinage attributable to prior rulers is very rare.

Pontic coinage eventually managed to gain a wide acceptance within the eastern Mediterranean region.