Catalog
250 Mils
| Issuer | Central Bank of Cyprus |
|---|---|
| Year | 1961 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | 250 ΜΙΛΣ 250 MİL Α/6 107122 ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ KIBRIS CUMHURİYETİ ΔΙΑΚΟΣΙΑ ΠΕΝΗΝΤΑ ΜΙΛΣ İKİ YÜZ ELLİ MİL 1.12.1961 Α/6 107122 (Translation: 250 Mils 250 Mils Republic of Cyprus Republic of Cyprus 250 Mils 250 Mils) |
| Reverse description | The reverse is engraved in blue, with a large central vignette presenting an aerial panorama of a limestone quarry set within a hilly landscape, bordered by a geometric frame with ornamental column motifs at each corner. The title inscription "Republic of Cyprus" appears in English at the top in serif lettering, while the denomination "TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILS" is set within a circular guilloche cartouche at the lower left. The overall composition is executed in a fine intaglio style characteristic of Bradbury Wilkinson production. |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | Log in to see details |
| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
Cyprus gained independence from Britain in August 1960, and this note — issued the following year — was among the first produced for the newly established Central Bank. Bradbury Wilkinson, a specialist in security printing with long ties to British colonial currency production, was the natural choice for a newly sovereign state still operating within the sterling area. The 250 Mils denomination itself is a product of the decimal subdivision Cyprus had used since 1955: 1000 Mils to the pound, an arrangement that persisted until metrication pressure eventually killed it in 1983.
The single signature belongs to Christos Stefanis, the Central Bank's first Governor.