Major mints: Paphos, Salamis; series of kings.

According to legend Cyprus was the birthplace of Aphrodite, who arose from the sea just off the coast, and came ashore there. The island was known for its copper, which metal derives its name from the name of the island. Cyprus was settled in prehistoric times, and was settled by Mycenaeans, Syrians, Egyptians and Phoenicians, and the latter influence was especially strong. Some cities were Greek, and supported the Greeks against Persia; others, Phoenician, supported the Persians. All, however, supported Alexander against the Persians. It fell to the Ptolemies after Alexanders death, then to the Romans, given by Antony to Cleopatra briefly, Augustus took in back after Actium.

The coins issued by the cities before Ptolemy I took control were mainly in the names of the various city-kings. Paphos used the types of a flying eagle or dove; Salamis, a seated ram. Kition displays types related to Herakles, or of a lion attacking a stag. Several of these badges appear as mint-marks on Ptolemaic issues struck at these mints. Many of the coins bear inscriptions, in Phoenician, in Greek, or in Greek in Cypriot letters.

Imperial coins are a restricted series; the main reverse types consist either of Zeus of Salamis standing, or the front of the temple of Aphrodite at Paphos.