500 mils 1979

Common. While PMG 67 EPQ is a superior condition grade, the 500 mils 1979 (P-42c) itself is a common denomination from a regular issue by the Central Bank of Cyprus. eBay market data shows consistent availability across all grades from VF to UNC, with numerous sales logged from 2010 onward. Prices for graded examples (PMG 66-67) typically range from $40-$105, indicating healthy but not scarce supply in high grades. The note was part of a standard circulation series and experienced normal print runs for the period.

Issued on September 1, 1979, this note represents the Cyprus Central Bank's regular currency issue during a period of significant political division on the island following the 1974 Turkish invasion. The reverse depicts the Pentedaktylo (Five-Finger) mountains, a prominent geographic landmark in the Kyrenia range in northern Cyprus, symbolizing the nation's cultural heritage. The trilingual inscriptions in Greek, Turkish, and English reflect Cyprus's constitutional framework requiring equal representation of its two main communities, though by 1979 this ideal was increasingly strained by the island's partition.

The obverse features an elaborate geometric and floral ornamental design with a large decorative shell or fan motif on the left side, balanced by the coat of arms of Cyprus (an eagle's head within a wreath representing the shield of Cyprus) positioned on the right. The denomination '500' appears in both upper corners. The reverse depicts a scenic landscape of the Pentedaktylo mountains with snow-capped peaks dominating the background, rendered in monochrome green. A river or mountain stream flows through the center of the composition, flanked by tall coniferous pine trees characteristic of the Kyrenia region. A grassy foreground and stone wall structure are visible on the right side. Both sides are framed by decorative repeating wheel or fan-pattern borders executed in the characteristic style of Cypriot banknote design of this era.

FRONT: 'ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΗ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΚΥΠΡΗΣ / ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΗ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ / KΙBRΙS MERKEZ BANKASI' (Central Bank of Cyprus in Greek and Turkish); 'ΠΕΝΤΑΚΟΣΙΑ ΜΙΛ / YUZ MIL' (Five Hundred Mils in Greek and Turkish); '500 MILS' (English); '1.9.1979' (Issue date: 1 September 1979); Serial number 'N/50 096349'; Signature of 'Χρ. Κ. Ρέπαντι' (Governor); 'ΔΙΟΙΚΗΤΗΣ - MÜDÜR' (Governor - Director in Greek and Turkish). BACK: 'Central Bank of Cyprus'; 'Five Hundred Mils' (both in English); Additional institutional text.

Intaglio engraving with multicolor offset printing on the obverse (green on multicolored underprint) and monochrome green on the reverse. The note was printed by BWC (Bradbury Wilkinson & Company), a renowned British security printer, without imprint notation on the note itself. The crisp detail visible in the border patterns and landscape engraving is characteristic of BWC's high-quality intaglio work during this period.

This note is identified as Pick P-42c variant, printed by BWC without imprint. The Pick catalog recognizes three variants for the 500 mils 1979 base number: P-42b, P-42c, and P-42s, all printed by BWC. This specific example features the date '1.9.1979' and serial number prefix 'N/50', consistent with the regular 1979 issue. The signature on this note belongs to the period's Central Bank governor, confirming its placement within the standard 1979 issue group. No overprints or special markings are evident.