Cyprus Euro Coins

The Reverse features the Common Side shared by all countries in the Eurozone.

Characterizing the Obverse is the National Side, which is the same design engraved on all the “red” cents of Cyprus. At the center of the 1 Euro Cent Cyprus coin, there is depicted a pair of mouflons observing us.

The first mouflon is portrayed frontal, unlike the second which has its face turned slightly to the right. The choice to represent these animals on the national coin was made because they are the most characteristic species of the protected fauna of this country. >

Another feature present on all coins is the national symbol, which is the Greek name of the island followed by the minting year and the Turkish name for Cyprus: ΚΥΠΡΟΣ mint year KIBRIS.
The inscription with the emblem is placed at the top right in a semicircle. Finally, the engraving is enclosed by 12 five-pointed stars placed on the outer edge, representing the European Union.

• Materials: Copper-plated steel (94.35% steel and 5.65% copper)
• Thickness: 1.67 mm
• Weight: 2.3 g
• Diameter: 16.5 mm
• Edge: Smooth
• Engraver: Erik Maell and Tatiana Soteropoulos

As mentioned earlier, the 2 Euro Cents of Cyprus feature the same design and finishes as the 1 Cent coin of Cyprus.

On the Reverse, the Common Side is depicted, as is the case for all European states in the Euro collection.

On the National Side of the Obverse, there is a pair of mouflons, just like on the 1 and 5 cent coins of Cyprus. The mouflon depicted frontally in the foreground has its gaze directed towards us, while the other is slightly turned to the right, yet its gaze is still directed at us.

The pair of animals, considered a protected species on the island, is enclosed by a circle of 12 five-pointed stars, which can only represent the European Union.

The inscription ΚΥΠΡΟΣ millesimo KIBRIS stands out above the heads of the animals.

• Materials: Copper-plated steel (94.35% steel and 5.65% copper)
• Thickness: 1.67 mm
• Weight: 3.06 g
• Diameter: 18.75 mm
• Edge: Horizontal line in incuse
• Engraver: Erik Maell and Tatiana Soteropoulos

The Reverse features the Common Side shared by all Eurozone countries.

On the Obverse, like the 1 and 2 cent coins of Cyprus, the two Mouflons are depicted at the center of the coin.

Surrounding the engraving of the mouflons is a circle of 12 five-pointed stars that forms a border. To the right of the protected species, the inscription ΚΥΠΡΟΣ year KIBRIS, the name of the island in Greek, is engraved, followed by the year of minting and the name of Cyprus, in Turkish.

• Materials: Copper-plated steel (steel 94.35% and copper 5.65%)
• Thickness: 1.67 mm
• Weight: 3.06 g
• Diameter: 21.25 mm
• Edge: Smooth
• Engraver: Erik Maell and Tatiana Soteropoulos

Now we move on to the description of the 10 Cents Euro Cyprus. Like the red cents, the yellow cents all feature the same design.

The Reverse is that of the Common Side found on all 10 cents of the eurozone.

The Obverse of the 10 Cents coin from Cyprus is characterized by the depiction of the Kyrenia ship, sailing from right to left (a ship from the 4th century BC). This image was chosen to highlight the connection to the sea, which has always been a source of resources for the island's inhabitants.

Indeed, due to its strategic position overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it has always enjoyed advantages for all commercial and maritime activities.

Surrounding the depiction of the ship are 12 five-pointed stars, a symbol of the European Union that defines its membership.

Between the Kyrenia ship and the 12 stars, there is the national symbol of the Island of Cyprus. The inscription, ΚΥΠΡΟΣ millesimo KIBRIS, features two distinct languages, namely Greek and Turkish, separated by the mint year.

• Materials: Nordic Gold (copper 89% – aluminum 5% – zinc 5% – tin 1%)
• Thickness: 1.93 mm
• Weight: 4.1 g
• Diameter: 19.75 mm
• Edge: Grooved with thick milling
• Engraver: Erik Maell and Tatiana Soteropoulos

The Reverse of the 20 cents is the common one for all countries belonging to the Eurozone.

The Obverse of the 20 Cents Euro Cyprus features the same design as the 10 and 50 Cents of the island of Cyprus, Kyrenia ship sailing.

The Kyrenia ship is now the wreck of a merchant ship from the 4th century BC, famous for having sailed the seas under the rule of Alexander the Great. Rediscovered in 1967, it is now located in the Kyrenia Castle, in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The coin depicts it sailing the seas, navigating to the left.

The coin is adorned with 12 five-pointed stars, as well as the symbol of the European Union.

Between the depiction of the ship and the circle of stars, there are two words written in different languages ΚΥΠΡΟΣ millesimo KIBRIS. The inscriptions are respectively engraved in Greek and Turkish and refer to the name of the island of Cyprus.

The fact of being bilingual and the choice of Greek and Turkish is due to the division of the island itself. In fact, it is divided into the Republic of Cyprus and the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The situation of tension between the two sides has always been recognized, and it remains unresolved.

• Materials: Nordic Gold (copper 89% – aluminum 5% – zinc 5% – tin 1%)
• Thickness: 2.14 mm
• Weight: 5.74 g
• Diameter: 22.25 mm
• Edge: Wide milling
• Engravers: Erik Maell and Tatiana Soteropoulos

The last “yellow” coin featuring the design of the Kyrenia Ship is the 50 Cents Euro Cyprus.

On the Reverse, the Common Side is engraved, which is shared by the countries that joined the eurozone.

The Obverse presents three waves at the base of the design, visually representing the movement of the sea. Waves that are crossed by the ship, of which only a wreck remains today, that sails from right to left.

The inscription ΚΥΠΡΟΣ millesimo KIBRIS is the national symbol of the Island of Cyprus, namely the name of the island in Greek and in Turkish, separated only by the minting year.

• Materials: Nordic Gold (copper 89% – aluminum 5% – zinc 5% – tin 1%)
• Thickness: 2.38 mm
• Weight: 7.80 g
• Diameter: 24.25 mm
• Edge: Ribbed with thick milling
• Engraver: Erik Maell and Tatiana Soteropoulos

Having finished with the cents, we finally arrive at the bimetallic coins. The 1 Euro coin from Cyprus also features a design rich in history.

The Reverse is the same as all 1 Euro coins in the Eurozone.

On the Obverse, at the center, there is a depiction of an dating back to the Chalcolithic period (3000 BC), which comes from the village of Promos, a typical example of prehistoric art from Cyprus.

The idol is inspired by a sculpture displayed at the Cypriot National Museum in Nicosia. This sculpture represents a woman with outstretched arms, thought to be a symbol of fertility. Hanging around the idol's neck is another idol, obviously smaller in size. This was common at the time as an ornament.

On the outer edge, which is a different color from the central part of the coin, there are 12 five-pointed stars, symbol of the European Union.

Below the right arm of the depicted woman, the mint year is inscribed, and on either side of the head, respectively to the left and right, are the two bilingual inscriptions ΚΥΠΡΟΣ – KIBRIS indicating the name of the island in Greek and Turkish.

• Materials: Bimetallic. Outer part: nickel-brass (75% copper – 20% zinc – 5% nickel); inner part: copper-nickel (75% copper – 25% nickel)
• Thickness: 2.33 mm
• Weight: 7.5 g
• Diameter: 23.25 mm
• Edge: Interrupted milling
• Engraver: Erik Maell and Tatiana Soteropoulos