Cyprus 1881 1/2 piastre
This specimen was lot 29610 in Heritage sale 3042 (Long Beach, September 2015), where it sold for $5,757.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "British Colony - Victoria Proof 1/2 Piastre 1881 PR66 Red and Brown NGC. Exquisite, with a flashy mixture of swirling magenta and purplish luster that canvasses otherwise coppery surfaces. In addition to eye-catching coloration, this offering displays nearly-flawless fields and crisp definition across the board. Quite elusive and highly-favored in this premium state of preservation." The SCWC lists this type for 1878-98 where it was struck in moderate numbers along with quarter piastres and one piastres, all in bronze. Cyprus, seized from the Turks by the British in 1878, was given a quasi-sterling coinage where nine piastres = one shilling.
Recorded mintage: 54,000 plus proofs.
Specification: bronze.
Catalog reference: KM 2.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World Coin Auction 3042, featuring the Read and Bob Bennett Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
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