CYPRUS, Mil Coinage,1963-1982, Complete Circulation Issue.
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Updated:
4/18/2025
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CYPRUS
" The loveliest Island of the Mediterranian " - Lord Winster.
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, derives from the ancient Greek word for the precious copper deposits that were already being mined and traded as early as 2500 BC. 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 1,000,000 of whom the 80% are Greeks and 20% Turks.
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. In 1961 Cyprus became a member of the British Commonwealth and a member of the European Union in 2004.
Under British Administration the " Piastre Coinage " made its first appearance in 1879. The copper piastre became the unit of currency and was fixed at the rate of 180 to the British gold sovereign. The gold sovereign became the standard measure of value and remained the coin of unlimited legal tender throughout the period from 1878-1960. During the reign of Queen Victoria, the half sovereign was also legal tender, demonitized though from the 1st May 1901. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the first " Mil Coinage " was introduced in 1955 with the denominations of 3 mils, 5 mils, 25 mils, 50 mils and 100 mils.
The Republic of Cyprus which came into being on August 16 1960, introduced its own bank notes in 1961, with the denominations of 250 mils, 500 mils, 1 pound (1,000 mils) and 5 pounds (5,000 mils).
In 1963 the first coinage was issued with the denominations of 1 mil, 5 mils, 25 mils, 50 mils and 100 mils and remained until 1982. The same denominations were available to collectors as a case proof set in 1963 and 1982. All coins were minted in the London Royal Mint.
In 1983 the " Cent coinage " was introduced and remained until 2004 when Cyprus became a member of the European Union and Euro the local currency.
REFERENCES :
MODERN COINS AND NOTES OF CYPRUS by Major F. Pridmore, 1974.
COINS OF CYPRUS. Cultural Institution of Bank of Cyprus, 2007.
THE COINS OF CYPRUS by A. Fitikides, 2008.
This complete set includes all 52 dates and denominations of the " Mil Coinage " issued by the Central Bank of Cyprus from 1963 until 1982.
The important thing is that this is the first Coinage issued by the Republic of Cyprus after it came into being in 1960.
All coins have been self-submitted raw.
The Five-Mils copper coins have been conservated by NCS.
All coins have been beautifully illustrated by the NGC imaging department.
My Favorite coin is the 1979 100 mils MS69 which appears as struck with strong and unimpaired luster, complete and full strike and amazing eye appeal.
This period of time, 1963 - 1982 , long before I started collecting, reminds me the days when these coins were in every day use. Every date has a history of my personal memories from high school to university and thereafter.
15 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Cyprus.
1. Cyprus is home to the world’s oldest known wine label, *Commandaria*, which dates back to around 2000 BC and is still produced today.
2. The island is famous for being the legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, with Petra tou Romiou being her mythological birthplace.
3. Cyprus has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world.
4. The country has two official languages: Greek and Turkish, reflecting its divided governance and complex history.
5. Cyprus has no rivers that flow year-round, but it relies on underground aquifers and reservoirs for water supply.
6. The capital city, Nicosia, is the last divided capital in the world.
7. Halloumi cheese, one of Cyprus’s most famous exports, is believed to have originated on the island as early as the Medieval Byzantine period.
8. The island’s beaches consistently rank among the cleanest in Europe, with dozens receiving the Blue Flag certification each year.
9. Cyprus has its own unique breed of cat called the Cyprus cat, believed to have been brought to the island by Saint Helena to control snakes.
10. Ancient Cypriots were among the first to use copper extensively, with the metal even deriving its name from the island’s Latin name, *Cuprum*.
11. The Troodos Mountains are home to Byzantine churches and monasteries adorned with frescoes that are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
12. Cyprus experiences over 300 days of sunshine annually, making it one of the sunniest countries in Europe.
13. The Lefkara village in Cyprus is famous for its intricate lacework and silver handicrafts, a tradition that dates back centuries and even attracted Leonardo da Vinci.
14. The island has its own version of the evil eye superstition, and many locals use talismans to ward off bad luck and envy.
15. Cyprus is one of the few countries where drivers use the left-hand side of the road, a remnant of British colonial rule that ended in 1960.
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CYPRUS, Mil Coinage,1963-1982, Complete Circulation Issue.
By TMS Coins
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