Cyprus 5 mils 1981 - Ancient Galley

Cyprus · 1981 · 5 mils

Circulating coinCommonVF · Very fine

€1.28estimate in VF

12,500,000coins minted

N4989 KM50.1 SCHÖN51

JSReference number JSJS-J6TPH

Circulating coin

Aluminium 5 mils coin of the Republic of Cyprus (1981-1982)

The coin's story

Cyprus, independent since 1960, kept the Cyprus pound divided into 1,000 mils until 1983. In 1981, the 5 mils coin changed metal and shape: the bronze coin struck since 1963 was replaced by a much lighter twelve-sided aluminium coin. Its reverse repeats the ancient galley of the old 5 mils, engraved by William Maving Gardner. The obverse bears the arms of the Republic, a dove holding an olive branch, and the name of the country in Turkish, English and Greek. According to the Schön catalogue, the 1981 coins were struck by the Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg, with a mintage of 12,500,000. This type was struck only in 1981 and 1982, before cents replaced mils in 1983.

ObverseThe Arms of the Republic

1981KIBRIS · CYPRUSΚΥΠΡΟΣ

Design: Shield of Cyprus bearing a dove holding an olive branch, with the year of independence 1960, between two tied olive branches.
Legend: KIBRIS (Cyprus, in Turkish) on the left, CYPRUS (Cyprus, in English) on the right and ΚΥΠΡΟΣ (Cyprus, in Greek) at the bottom.
Date: The date 1981 at the top.