Set Description
CYPRUS, ARCHBISHOP MAKARIOS III GOLD PROOF SOVEREIGNS SET 1966.
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.
Archbishop Makarios III was born on August 13,1913 in Panayia, a village near Paphos. He studied theology at the University of Athens and Boston University. He became bishop of Kition in 1948 and archbishop of the autocephalus Orthodox Church of Cyprus in 1950. As he took active part in the struggle against British domination and for the independence of Cyprus he was exiled in the Seychelles Inlands in 1956 and 1957. In December 1959, as the representative of the Greek community he accepted and signed the independence of Cyprus and became the first President of the Republic of Cyprus. He was reelected in 1968 and 1973. He remained President of the Republic until 1977 when he died. Archbishop Makarios III was widely recognised as been one of the great leaders of the 20th century. Several coins and medals were struck during and after his Presidency by different Mints.
The three gold issues of this set correspond to the Half-Sovereign, the Sovereign and the Five-pound gold piece of Great Britain. They were struck by the French State Mint in Paris and placed for sale on 6th June 1966 with a mintage of 25,000 (PF and MS) for the half-sovereign, 50,000 (PF and MS) for the sovereign and 1,500 (PF and MS) for the five-pound gold piece.
The obverse shows the bust of the Archbishop facing left and wearing clerical heed-dress dignitary's veil.
The reverse shows the Bicephalous (double-headed) eagle, emblem of the Byzantine Emperors adopted by the Church of Cyprus.
Both the obverse and reverse designs are the work of the Greek sculptor Basil Phalireas.
The 50 pound gold coins Proof and BU were issued by the Central Bank of Cyprus in 1977,
33.600 Proofs and 26.750 BUs.
The silver issued as a set of three in 1974 with the same design as the gold sovereign.
Total 120.000 sets.
Set Goals
Complete a type set with high grade examples.