Cyprus – One Country or Two?

Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its location has made it an important maritime location for the last 3,000 years. It has been dominated by the Greek, Romans, Turks, Venetians, Persians and Egyptians. As a result, its culture has been influenced by all of these invaders. It has left the country divided between the official Republic of Cyprus with significant Greek influence, and Northern Cyprus which is considered by the international community as territory illegally occupied by Turkish forces. That part of the country even prefers to use Turkish lira instead of the Euro as the rest of the country uses.

In 1878 Cyprus was placed under English administration and was formally annexed as a colony in 1914. Cyprus was granted independence in 1960 but its division remain and at times have exploded into widespread violence. So much so that the UN maintains a buffer zone between the Greek dominated area (and recognized government) and the Northern Cyprus region. Also Cyprus has had its own currency, and the themes and denomination have changed with the changes in government control.

The First Cyprus Currency

In 1914, Cyprus issued its first currency-denominated in shilling and pounds, just like the United Kingdom. The 1914 5 Shilling (P-3) was a common paper currency used in Cyprus. It was printed only on one side and printed only in blue. It has a small portrait of King George V and the country’s emblem. The text is in Greek and English. After WWI, the banknotes changed slightly to include a watermark and Arabic text. Likewise the 1930 1 Pound note (P-18) is very interesting. It looks like a typical UK colonial banknote with a small portrait of the King on the front. However something that is unusual is that it has a small amount of printing on the back saying ‘Government of Cyprus’ along with 2 lions.

With the death of King George V and the ascension of King George VI (after Edward), the banknotes were redesigned in 1937. As a result these notes look nearly identical to Bermuda banknotes of the time.Also in the 1952 series they started the transition from King George VI to Queen Elizabeth II. She was on the 5 Shilling (P-30).

Banknote Redesign

In 1955 there was a significant redesign of the banknotes and as a result, the beginning of decimalization of the currency. Also Queen Elizabeth II is present on all banknotes, and the shilling was replaced with a ‘mil’ where 1000 mils equal 1 pound. The 1 Pound (P-35) shows QEII on the front along with flowers and a map of Cyprus. The reverse has classic security designs, script text and lions. It is a very nicely designed series. 

The Queen was only on Cyprus banknotes for 5 years. In 1960, Cyprus was granted independence. The new Cyprus pound (P-39) maintained a similar layout to the prior series but most features associated with the UK were replaced with local images. The reverse shows an aqueduct and Greek columns.

Designs Over The Years

The 1977 redesign showed an even further departure from the colonial designs. The front of the 250 mil (P-45) shows a woman in local dress. The reverse shows a local landscape. The designs were definitely evolving to be more like Greek banknotes. For example the 10 pound note (P-48) shows that full transition. The front has a Greek portrait – probably Aphodite and the country emblem. The reverse has a pleasant vignette of small peace doves. The 1997 series shows the similar Greek design and features but additional colors have been added which makes this series very attractive. The 10 pound note (P-59) is very attractive note. The reverse vignette still has peace doves, but additional flowers, a tortoise and a butterfly are included. All of the notes in this series are similarly designed.

The Republic of Cyprus joined the Eurozone and adopted the Euro as its official currency. The Euro is accepted in all parts of the country, but Turkish Lira are also accepted in the occupied Northern Cyprus territory.