Owner Comments:
The first coins of the Cyprus Colonial Collection were issued by the Royal Mint in 1879. They were in copper and of three denominations: One piastre, half piastre, and quarter piastre.
CYPRUS, QUEEN VICTORIA 1/4 PIASTRE 1879.
OBVERSE: Young head of Victoria wearing a coronet ornamented with oak leaves and scrolls.
REVERSE: 1/4 within a beaded circle.
ENGRAVER: Leonard Charles Wyon.
DIAMETER: 21.8 mm
WEIGHT: 2.91 g
EDGE: Plain.
METAL COMPOSITION: Copper 95%, Tin 4%, Zinc 1%.
MINTAGE: 150,000
RARITY: Common coin, but rare in high uncirculated grades.
1879 1/4 PIASTRE MS 63 BN
A beautiful coin in high grade for the date.
Well struck with nice brown color and considerable remaining original red within the devices and the legends.