A Group of 20th Century Royal Mint Proof-Record Coins, ex Melbourne Mint Museum

Cyprus, George V, Proof set, 1934, comprising Piastre and Half-Piastre, both edges plain, 12h (Prid. –; KM. 20-1; cf. Spink Australia 25, 1046; cf. Baldwin 86, 220) [2]. Brilliant mint state, extremely rare £2,500-3,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Group of 20th Century Royal Mint Proof-Record Coins, ex Melbourne Mint Museum.

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Provenance: Noble Numismatics Auction 91 (Melbourne), 21-3 July 2009, lot 2111.

Slabbed in NGC holders, graded PF 66 and PF 65 respectively. In 1934 the government of Cyprus requested that the bronze piastres and half-piastres, last coined in 1931, be discontinued and replaced with new, smaller pieces with a central hole. Retaining the royal portrait with such a modification was deemed unsatisfactory and the Royal Mint recommended that the new cupro-nickel coins have a scalloped circumference, similar to those introduced in Iraq in 1931. The government acquiesced and the new issue went into circulation on the island in January 1935