5 shillinga 1952

Common. This note remains relatively common on the market, with 2016 catalog values ranging from $25 (VG) to $125 (VF) to $425 (UNC), and eBay market data showing significant price variation ($5.99 to $890) that reflects both condition variance and market anomalies. The print run for this 1952 issue was substantial, and these notes remain readily available to collectors. The G (Good) condition grade specimen described here would fall at the lower end of collector value, consistent with common circulation issues from this period.

Issued shortly after Cyprus's formal establishment of a Currency Board in 1952, this note represents the early monetary independence of the island under British administration. The portrait of King George VI reflects Cyprus's status as a British Crown Colony at the time, while the trilingual design acknowledges the significant Turkish-Cypriot minority population. The 1952 date marks a pivotal moment in Cypriot history, just three years before the escalation of nationalist tensions that would culminate in the independence struggle of the late 1950s.

The obverse features King George VI in profile facing left, positioned within an ornate circular frame rendered in reddish-purple intaglio tones, symbolizing British sovereignty during the colonial period. The note incorporates elaborate decorative borders in blue and tan with intricate geometric patterns throughout, typical of mid-20th century British Commonwealth currency design. The reverse displays purely ornamental elements with symmetrical decorative patterns in reddish-purple and blue, with corner frames in blue and tan, containing minimal text. The trilingual denomination presentation (English, Greek, and Turkish in Latin characters—distinguishing this from P-22 which features Turkish in Arabic script) was intentional design reflecting the administrative requirements of the British colonial government to serve both Greek and Turkish-speaking populations.

FRONT: 'ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS' / '5/-' (Five Shillings in English) / 'ΠΕΝΤΕ ΣΕΛΙΝΙΑ' (Pentē Selinía - Five Shillings in Greek) / 'BES SILIN' (Five Shillings in Turkish, Latin characters) / 'FIVE SHILLINGS' / '1ST FEBRUARY, 1952' / 'COMMISSIONER OF CURRENCY' / Serial number 'F/3 316451' (repeated) / Signature 'S.m.keul'. BACK: 'GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS'

Intaglio engraving, characteristic of high-security banknote production. The fine line work, repetitive geometric patterns, and complex decorative borders visible in the visual analysis are consistent with traditional steel plate intaglio printing. The printer for this Government of Cyprus Currency Board issue was likely a major British security printer, though specific attribution is not definitively known from the visual characteristics alone. The quality of the engraving and security feature implementation reflects standard Commonwealth Currency Board standards of the period.

This specimen is cataloged as Pick P-29, with the specific variety distinguishing it from P-22 through the use of Turkish denomination text in modern Latin characters ('BES SILIN') rather than Arabic script. The serial number prefix 'F/3' and signature 'S.m.keul' are consistent with the 1952 Government of Cyprus issue. The February 1, 1952 date is the primary issue date for this denomination. No major varieties beyond the language/script distinction are noted in PMG population records, which shows only one primary variant for this Pick number.