250 mils 1974 specimen

Common. While this is a specimen variety (P-41bs), specimen notes are generally produced in significant quantities for institutional and archival purposes by central banks. The eBay market data shows consistent pricing for circulated examples in the $6-$41 range (with most sales between $6-$17), and the 2019 catalog value for UNC specimens is listed at $160. The absence of exceptionally high prices or scarcity reports indicates this is a standard specimen issue, not a rare printing. Specimen varieties are typically more common than their regular-issue counterparts because they were distributed to banks, government institutions, and collectors rather than being released into circulation.

Issued on June 4, 1974, this note was produced during one of the most turbulent periods in Cyprus's post-independence history. The bilingual Greek and Turkish inscriptions, along with the national coat of arms featuring the dove with olive branch, underscore Cyprus's aspirations for unity and peace. The pomegranate imagery on the obverse represents Cyprus's agricultural heritage, while the village landscape on the reverse depicts the rural character of the island during this period of economic development and national consolidation.

The obverse features a tripartite symbolic composition: on the left, an ornate circular frame containing a detailed pomegranate with foliage, representing Cyprus's agricultural abundance; in the center, an elaborate ornamental design in gold and pink tones with wheat stalks and geometric patterns; and on the right, the national coat of arms of Cyprus (a white dove holding an olive branch) within an ornate circular frame, symbolizing peace and sovereignty. The note is printed in dark blue on multicolored underprint with ornamental borders of vine and grape motifs. The reverse depicts a comprehensive landscape scene of a traditional Cypriot village or settlement with cypress trees, residential buildings, roads, agricultural fields, and terrain features set against a hillside, illustrating the island's rural character and architectural heritage. The denomination 'TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILS' appears in a circular ornamental frame on the left side of the reverse.

OBVERSE (Front): 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE' (English); '250 ΜΙΛΣ' (Greek: 250 Mils); '250 MIL' (English); 'ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΗ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ' (Greek: Central Bank of Cyprus); 'KIBRIS MERKEZ BANKASI' (Turkish: Central Bank of Cyprus); 'ΔΙΑΚΟΣΙΑ ΠΕΝΤΗΚΟΝΤΑ ΜΙΛΣ' (Greek: Two Hundred Fifty Mils); 'İKİ YÜZ ELLI MIL' (Turkish: Two Hundred Fifty Mils); Signature: 'ΧΡ. Α ΛΑΖΑΡΗΣ' (Chr. A Lazaris); Date: '4.6.1974' (June 4, 1974); Serial Number: 'K 000000'. REVERSE (Back): 'Central Bank of Cyprus' (English); 'TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILS' (English).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing), characteristic of high-security banknote production. The fine line patterns, detailed engraving work visible throughout both sides, ornate decorative borders, and the crisp rendering of the landscape elements are consistent with the intaglio method. Printer: Bradbury Wilkinson and Company (BWC), a renowned British security printer, as indicated in the PMG catalog data. No printer imprint appears on the note itself, following the security practice of the period.

This is the specimen variety designated as P-41bs in the Pick catalog system. The 'bs' designation indicates 'banknote specimen.' The PMG population reports show four cataloged variants for the base Pick number P-41 (P-41a, P-41b, P-41c, and P-41s/P-41bs), all printed by BWC. This particular note bears the date 1.6.1974 (later corrected to 4.6.1974 in the issue), serial number K 000000 (characteristic of specimen notes), and bears the signature of ΧΡ. Α ΛΑΖΑΡΗΣ (Chr. A Lazaris). The zero serial number and 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE' overprint definitively identify this as an institutional specimen rather than a regular circulation note.