Catalog
5 Pounds
| Issuer | Central Bank of Cyprus |
|---|---|
| Year | 1961 |
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| Currency | Pound (decimalized, 1955-1982) |
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| Obverse description | The obverse is printed predominantly in dark green on a multicolour underprint and carries two central vignettes: a large circular guilloche medallion with a Lefkaritika (traditional Cypriot lace embroidery) motif to the left, and a colourful geometric cross-stitch embroidery panel at centre. To the right, an intaglio-engraved vignette contains the national arms of Cyprus within a scalloped guilloche surround, accompanied by a cartographic outline of the island. Denomination numerals £5 appear in corner cartouches, and the bilingual issuer title reads ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ / KIBRIS CUMHURİYETI across the upper field. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ KIBRIS CUMHURİYETI ΠΕΝΤΕ ΛΙΡΑΙ BEŞ LİRA |
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Cyprus gained independence from Britain in August 1960, and the Central Bank of Cyprus was established shortly after — this 1961 issue was among the first releases under the new national authority, replacing the Cyprus Currency Board notes that had circulated under colonial administration. Bradbury Wilkinson, the Surrey-based security printer, handled the work, as they did for a significant portion of newly independent Commonwealth states during this period.
Pick 40 is notably scarcer than the later issues in this series. High-denomination notes from the first independence-era printing tend to survive in small numbers, partly because they saw genuine commercial use rather than being hoarded as souvenirs.