CYPRUS, 1/4 PIASTRE 1879-1926, Circulation Issue. No.2
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12/21/2020
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THE CYPRUS 1/4 PIASTRE COINAGE (1879-1926), Circulation Issues.
Cyprus, an independent Republic since 1960, became a member of the British Commonwealth in 1961 and a member of the European Union in 2004. It is an island situated in the north-eastern corner of the Mediterranean. With an area of 3,572 square miles, it is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and has a population of over 800,000 of whom the 80% are Greeks and 20% Turks.
Should there be any wonder why Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, made her home on this island? As Homer affirms in the Odyssey, " laughter-loving Aphrodite went to Cyprus where is her realm and fragrant altar ".
Cyprus had an ancient civilization, and a coinage, emulating that of the ancient Greek world, made its appearance back in 568 B.C. Because of its strategic position and wealth Cyprus was coveted by all those countries who wanted to exercise power in the Eastern Mediterranean. Throughout its long history, Cyprus formed part of the Empires of Assyria, Egypt, Persia, Rome and Byzantium. In 1193 A.D. Cyprus became part of the Frankish Kingdom of the Lusignans who ruled the Island until 1489 when it was passed over to Venice as a dependency. In 1571 Cyprus was conquered by the Turks who finally handed it over to England in 1878. The British rule lasted until 1960 when Cyprus became an Independent Republic.
The quarter-piastre coinage of Cyprus under British administration appertains to the following three reigns:
1. Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
During her reign a copper coinage consisting of quarter-piastres, half-piastres and piastres, made its first appearance in 1879. There were twelve issues of the quarter-piastre, thirteen of the half-piastre and fourteen of the piastre piece. In 1901 a silver coinage was issued in denominations of 3, 41/2, 9 and 18 piastres. All the Cyprus coinage was struck at the Royal Mint in London except a part of the issue of 1881 and that of 1882, which were struck by Ralph Heaton & Sons in Birmingham; these coins have a small H above the date.
2. King Edward VII (1901-1910).
The short reign of King Edward VII produced seven different coins in all. Quarter-piastre pieces were struck in 1902,1905 and 1908, the half-piastre and one piastre in 1908, and the silver 9 and 18 piastres in 1907.
3. King George V (1910-1936).
During this reign 19 issues were struck: two of the quarter-piastre, five of the half-piastre, five of the one piastre, one of the 41/2 piastre, three of the 9 piastres, two of the 18 piastres and one of the 45 piastres. The year 1928 marked the 50th anniversary of British rule in Cyprus, and the occasion commemorated by the issue of a 45 piastre piece, a crown-size silver coin, which appeared in a limited number of proofs and a larger issue of ordinary pieces. In 1934 the heavy copper coins issued in this and the previous reigns were replaced by smaller and lighter pieces in copper-nickel, with a scalloped edge to distinguish them from the silver coins.
REFERENCES and PUBLICATIONS:
THE COINS OF CYPRUS, fourth edition 2008, by A. FITIKIDES.
THE MODERN COINS and NOTES of CYPRUS, by MAJOR F. PRIDMORE.
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CYPRUS, 1/4 PIASTRE 1879-1926, Circulation Issue. No.2
By TMS Coins
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