Catalog
500 Mils Olympic Games Moscow - Silver proof issue
| Issuer | Central Bank of Cyprus |
|---|---|
| Year | 1980 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
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|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin/Greek |
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| Reverse description | The five interlocking Olympic rings are prominently displayed in the center of the field, flanked by a decorative wreath composed of an olive branch to the left and stylized flame motifs to the right, symbolizing both classical Greek tradition and the Olympic flame. The denomination 500 appears in large numerals at the top of the field, and the date 1980 is inscribed below the Olympic rings in the lower central field. The design is rendered with frosted relief against a mirror-polished proof field. |
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| Additional information |
Cyprus issued this proof alongside a cupro-nickel circulation strike — an unusual dual-release strategy that reflected both the island's ambitions as a numismatic market participant and the political complexity of the 1980 Games themselves. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 triggered a widespread boycott led by the United States, and Cyprus, navigating its own delicate post-1974 division, issued the coin without taking a public position on participation.
The .925 silver proof was struck in limited numbers specifically for collector sets.