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 PIASTRE 1879.
OBVERSE: Young head of Victoria facing left and wearing a coronet ornamented with oak leaves and scrolls.
REVERSE: 1 within a beaded circle.
ENGRAVER: Leonard Charles Wyon.
DIAMETER: 32 mm
WEIGHT: 11.66 g
EDGE: Plain.
METAL COMPOSITION: Copper 95%, Tin 4%, Zinc 1%.
MINTAGE: 250,000
RARITY: Common coin, but rare in high uncirculated grades.
1879 1 PIASTRE MS 64 RB
Very attractive example of this first issue piastre.
Fully struck with clear surfaces and traces of original luster in the legends.
NGC: Tied with three others as finest known in RB.