Edward Dandrow

This catalogue identifies the coins discovered in and around Tios in 2015–16. The archaeological excavation unearthed seven coins in 2015 and 21 coins and a lead seal in 2016. They range in date from the Late Classical/Early Hellenistic period to the
Ottoman era. In addition, the author recorded and studied a partial hoard of Tetrarchic folles, which a local businessman had purchased from looters. This partial hoard consists of 433 coins dating from AD 294 to 306, with some rare issues such as two
coins of Domitius Domitianus. The complete hoard is estimated at approximately 1400 coins.

2017 yılı Tios-Tieion kazı çalışmaları T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Kültür Varlıkları ve Müzeler Genel Müdürlüğü’nün, T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Döner Sermaye İşletme Merkez Müdürlüğü ile T.C. zonguldak Valiliği, İl Özel İdare Müdürlüğü’nün destekleri ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Tios-Tieion 2017 yılı kazı çalışmaları antik kentin kuzeyinde yer alan akropolis, antik kentin doğu nekropolü ve antik liman sahasında su altı çalışmaları şeklinde yürütülmüştür

During the 2009-11 excavation seasons at Pessinus, a total of 32 bronze coins were found. One coin was found in 2009, 27 coins in 2010 and four coins in 2011. Almost half of these coins were in poor condition and could not be identified. The remainder could be identified by either emperor or city or both. All of the identifiable coins date from the late 3rd century AD to the 6th century AD: four date to the 3rd century, nine to the 4th, three to the 5th and eight to the 6th century. Twenty-two of the coins are imperial (official) issues, while five are provincial issues and five are unidentifiable in terms of their place of minting. In the future, these coins will be integrated into the findings of previous excavations. Then, general monetary trends can be ascertained and examined.

I address the history of the coinage of Pessinus and the meaning of the images on coinage in terms of civic identity. Although Pessinus had issued coins under the Galatian tetrarchs between the 60s and 30s BC, coinage issued under Rome changed dramatically after annexation and the creation of the Imperial temple and Koinon of Galatia. Pessinus was famous for its cult of Cybele and issued a number of coins depicting her (based on Roman models) over the next two centuries. The reigns of Tiberius and Claudius saw the beginning of the direct influence of the provincial governor and the Koinon of Galatia on the production and iconography of the coins that would last through the reign of Trajan. Very few coins were issued in Pessinus’s name at this time. Under the Antonines, however, there was a resurgence of localism shaped by interest in the past and renewal of cults and rites. The city issued coins highlighting Gallic identity first under Antoninus Pius and later during the joint reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus the city honoured its Augustan foundations as well as its ethnic identity. Also, a wide variety of coin types were issued that aligned thematically with dynastic politics and foreign affairs. Under the Severans, there was a redefining of the relationship between the city and emperor (or Imperial family). A large number of unique issues were produced that highlighted the favourite cults/deities of the Imperial family and Greek mythological tradition in general. Thus, the coinage reveals that the city underwent Romanisation before a type of Hellenisation defined by literary culture, all the while maintaining its Gallic identity. Each series of coins produced serves as useful evidence for the strategic nature of identity through the evolving relationship between Pessinus and self-representation and Roman power and cultural traditions.