Some coins from Cyprus

[syracusian]

I've only started collecting Cyprus about a year ago. Right now, I'm so much behind, that the idea of a type set in unc seems very remote, especially the Edwardian and most Victorian silver coins. They have a very low mintage and are rarely offered on ebay. When they are offered, they're usually overgraded,very ugly F-aVF coins. Anyway, here are a few of the nice ones that I have.

 

 

 

 

In 1928,to celebrate 50 years of occupation, the Royal mint produced the first crown ever minted for a British colony.

 

 

[cosmicdebris]

Cool 45 PST

[JamminJ]

Looks like you have the beginnings of a very nice type set there Dimitri!

 

Could you fill me in with a bit of background on Cypress? I have just this vague awareness: island in the Mediteranian, dispute between Greece and Turkey, the Brits involved somehow..

 

-JamminJ

[syracusian]

JamminJ, I can't be very objective here, but since you asked for it, here goes:

 

Greece has always considered the island of Cyprus as part of her, just like the island of Crete.Reunification just didn't happen and is certainly unlikely now.

 

Cyprus (the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite) a strategically located island in the Mediterranean sea, in the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, joined the Greek Revolution in 1821 in the wish to free itself from the Turks and to unite with Greece.However, the Turkish governor acted quickly and all bishops, abbots and hundreds of ordinary people that were involved were hanged or decapitated.

 

On June 4, 1878, Cyprus was occupied by the British under a secret treaty with the sultan for the British support of Turkey against Russia.The first coins were minted in 1879 , (just bronze coins, the first silver coins were minted in 1901) , and replaced the Indian rupees that the soldiers had brought with them. The agitation for enosis (=union with Greece) continued and grew louder and louder with each passing day.

 

Archbishop Makarios 3, organized and started a revolt in 1955. The efforts were not entirely successfull and in 1959 the Zurich and London agreements were forced upon the population.These agreements gave the Turkish minority, who represent only 18% of the population, a disproportionate share in the government, police force and civil service positions, a veto power by the Turkish vice-president ,and they provided for the stationing of Greek, Turkish and British troops on the island.

 

Such was the state of Cyprus when, on August 16, 1960, it was declared a republic with Archbishop Makarios as its first president. The mutual distrust between the two communities continued until 1974, when the then military government of Athens tried (in a disastrous attempt that brought their own downfall) to oust Makarios and control the island. Turkey jumped on the opportunity and invaded the island, increasing their part to 35% of the total surface. A breakaway state was created,but it has yet to be recognized by any country other than Turkey.Turkish refugees have been constantly sent to the island ever since in an effort to increase their part of the population.

 

Cyprus offers basically the same products as Greece (same language and religion) ,notably tourism, (climate, beaches,history ,antiquities in a random order, perhaps some fruits too) but in a smaller (and easier to deal with) scale ,with the British infrastructure already in place.The southern part with Greek Cypriots prospered, while the Turkish part was and still is in poverty. When the EU accepted Cyprus among its new members, there have been efforts (mainly by the US) to reunite the island before the date of accession. However the terms were found unacceptable by the Greek Cypriot part, which decided (a month ago) in a referendum,( 75%) that there will be no deal under these circumstances.The Greek Cypriots entered the EU alone,on May the first with their island still divided. The US and Koffi Annan are still pushing for a solution.

 

In Cyprus two very different communities, a Christian Orthodox one and an Islamic one live next to each other. The entrance of the Turkish Cypriots in the EU,was considered by many, as the first step before Turkey itself can be part of the EU, if and whenever this happens.

[shirohniichan]

Dang! If I would have upped my bid just a little bit at the New York sale back in January, that 45 piastres would have been mine!

 

That's OK-- now I have one in AU-58 that's ex-Dmitri.

[JamminJ]

Thanks for the detailed account of recent (and not so recent) history of Cypress. It's one of the regions of the world where my knowledge is woefully lacking.

 

I appreciate the local flavor you've provided.

 

-JamminJ

[AEATON-migration]

I was in Cyprus a few weeks ago - the island has a stunning mixture of culture, mythology and historical ruin, with a picturesque west coast.

 

I have a few older coins from the region - I'll look through them and let you know, I don't have a clue how collectable they are. I also have a lot to learn about grading, I only know grading on G, VG, AUC ... and these are mostly VG. ??