Cyprus 1907 18 piastres
This specimen was lot 29613 in Heritage sale 3042 (Long Beach, September 2015), where it sold for $2,350. The catalog description[1] noted, "British Colony - Edward VII 18 Piastres 1907 XF45 NGC. The rarest of the Cyprus issues from this era, the present offering displays fantastic, cabinet patination that coats the surfaces in a classic shade of gunmetal with darker, graphite color resting within the peripheries. A surprising amount of amber luster resides within the protected areas, illuminating the design elements upon rotation. As is commensurate with the grade, the devices exhibit moderate wear and the fields contain handling marks that have blended nicely into the surrounding patina. A significant and elusive type, collectible at all levels, and scarce as such." This scarce one year type was equal to a British florin. This specimen shown here is distinctly better than the plate coin in the SCWC.
Recorded mintage: 20,000.
Specification: 11.31 g, 0.925 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 10.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th 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.
Link to: