CYPRUS " Mil Coinage " and " Cent Coinage ", 1963 - 2004, Complete Circulation Issues

Set Description
This set presents all the circulation coins issued by the Central Bank of Cyprus from the day Cyprus became an Independent Republic in 1960, until the date Cyprus became a member of the European Union in 2004. 120 coins in all.

CYPRUS " The Island of Venus "

Cyprus an island praised by poets and writers through the centuries, is blessed with an abundance of natural beauties. Beauty is the legacy of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love. It was at Petra tou Romiou, Paphos, where, according to legend, Aphrodite emerged from the foam of the waves and made Cyprus her domain.
As Homer affirms in the Odyssey, " laughter-loving Aphrodite went to Cyprus where is her realm and fragrant altar. "

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. This strategic location has been a major factor shaping Cyprus history throughout the centuries.
With history that can be traced back over nine thousand years, Cyprus has assimilated many of the various influences it has received. At the crossroads of three continents and the meeting point of great civilizations, it has developed and maintained a character of its own. The arrival of mainland Greeks three thousand years ago had a profound influence on the culture of the island. Since then, many who coveted the island have passed through, but Cyprus has retained its heritage and way of life.

The importance of Cyprus can be said to date from the Bronze Age, when it was desired as the principal source of copper ( from which the island derived its name ) and as one of the most important trading centers. Because of its strategic position in the Mediterranean and its influential role Cyprus was conquered by a succession of empires : The Assyrian, Egyptian, Persian, Macedonian, Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine.It was taken from Isaak Comnenus by Richard the Lion Heart in 1191, sold to the Knights Templar; conquered by Venice and Turkey and eventually became a British colony until August 16,1960 when it became an Independent Republic.

The Cypriot earth in every step yields valuable evidence of its turbulent history. Excavations have brought to light temples, palaces, amphitheaters and the wealth of other antiquities. Just as magnificent are the Byzantine churches and monasteries, the Crusader castles, the Venetian walls and fortifications.

Cyprus is primarily an agricultural economy with potatoes, citrus fruit , wine and pharmaceutical products the main exports. The industry is based on petroleum refining and cement, and tourism playing the most important and increasing role.

Climate

Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate, with long dry summers from mid–May to mid–October, and mild winters from December to February, which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons.
Summer is a season of high temperatures with cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere in the coastal areas. Isolated thunder showers are possible mainly over the mountains during early afternoons.
Winters are mild with rain and snow on Troodos Mountains (usually starting before Christmas).
The island enjoys abundant sunshine, and even in December and January, there is an average of six hours of bright sunshine per day, whilst over the six ‘summer’ months, there is an average of 11.5 hours of bright sunshine per day.

Temperatures and Weather Conditions

Daily temperatures during the hottest months of July and August range between 30° C on the central plain, and 24° C on the Troodos Mountains. The average maximum temperatures for these two months range between 38° C and 27° C. In January, the coolest month, the indicative daily temperature is 10° C on the central plain, and 3° C on the higher parts of the Troodos Mountains, while the average minimum temperatures are 5° C and 0° C.

Sea Temperatures

The temperature in the open sea hovers above 22° C from June to November, climbing to 27° C in August. Even during the three coolest months of January to March, average sea temperature are an acceptable 16° or 17° C. Near the coast, the temperature of water three or four meters deep is similar to that of the open sea, ranging from 15° to 17°C in February and from 23° to 28° C in August. There are no significant daily fluctuations in sea water temperatures, except in very shallow waters less than one meter deep.

Brief history of money in Cyprus

The history of money in Cyprus began 2500 years ago. The first coin, which was silver, was minted in Cyprus in the 6th century BC.
The historical development of money in Cyprus has followed the sometimes stormy and turbulent course of the island's history. The various conquerors that ruled Cyprus throughout its history introduced their own monetary unit. Hence among other monetary units, the stater, the obol, Roman and Byzantine coins, the gross, the dinar, the cartzi, the para, the piastre and the pound have been used as the island's currency.
In 1960, Cyprus was declared independent and the Republic of Cyprus was established.
In 1963 the " Mil Coinage " was issued by the Central Bank of Cyprus, which comprised five coins in the denominations of 1 mil, 5 mils, 25 mils, 50 mils and 100 mils with the pound divided into 1000 mils.
In 1983 the " Cent Coinage " was introduced to replace the mil. It comprised seven coins in the denominations of 1/2 cent, 1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent and 50 cent.
Proof versions of the coins were available to collectors in 1963, 1982, 1983, 1989 and 1991.
The numismatic system remained the same as the Cyprus pound continued to be the Republic's currency, the only difference being its denomination into 100 cent instead of 1000 mils.

On January 1, 2008, Cyprus as a member of the European Union, replaced the Cyprus pound with the Euro, which became the Republic's monetary unit and remained until today.

REFERENCES :

COINS OF CYPRUS. Cultural Institution of Bank of Cyprus, 2007.
THE COINS OF CYPRUS by A. Fitikides, 2008.

All coins were minted at The Royal Mint and self-submitted raw to NGC for grading and imaging.
Superb images by NGC. Thank you.

Set Goals
Accumulate and certify all the issued coins for circulation by the Central Bank of Cyprus, from the day Cyprus became an Independent Republic in 1960, until the day Cyprus became a member of the European Union in 2004.