500 mils 1982
Market Prices
11 salesAbout This Note
This is a stunning uncirculated example of the Cyprus 500 Mils banknote from 1982, featuring vibrant red-brown and green tones with exceptional print clarity. The obverse displays a woman in traditional Cypriot dress in profile, accompanied by the coat of arms and ornamental scrollwork typical of Central Bank of Cyprus issues. The reverse depicts the Yermasoyia Dam, Cyprus's important irrigation infrastructure, rendered in fine line engraving. The note shows no signs of wear or circulation, with crisp imagery throughout and excellent color preservation.
Common. Secondary market data from eBay sales history shows consistent pricing with UNC examples ranging from $17.50 to $26.99 (with one graded example at $42-43.52), while VF specimens sell for $5-15. Catalog values list UNC at $130, which reflects dealer asking prices rather than realized transaction values. The regular issuance by the Central Bank of Cyprus without noted restrictions, combined with the consistent availability of examples in multiple condition grades across multiple years of eBay sales, confirms this is a commonly available note among collectors of Cypriot currency.
Issued on June 1, 1982, this banknote represents Cyprus's monetary system during the early post-independence era and reflects the nation's focus on agricultural and water resource development. The Yermasoyia Dam depicted on the reverse symbolizes Cyprus's investment in irrigation infrastructure critical to the island's agricultural economy during this period. The trilingual inscriptions in Greek, Turkish, and English reflect Cyprus's complex political and cultural composition during this transitional decade.
The obverse features a dignified portrait of a Cypriot woman in traditional dress shown in right-facing profile, positioned at the right side of the note. She wears her hair long in a classical style. The composition is anchored by the Central Bank of Cyprus coat of arms centered at the top, rendered as a shield. Intricate ornamental borders with circular designs, scrollwork, and geometric patterns in red-brown and green frame the design. The reverse showcases the Yermasoyia Dam, one of Cyprus's major irrigation projects, depicted in a landscape composition showing the dam structure, water body, agricultural fields, and surrounding hillsides. Fine line engraving throughout creates depth and security through detailed crosshatching patterns and geometric precision.
FRONT SIDE: 'ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΗ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ' (Central Bank of Cyprus in Greek), 'KIBRIS MERKEZ BANKASI' (Cyprus Central Bank in Turkish), '500' and 'ΜΙΛ' (500 Mils), 'ΠΕΝΤΑΚΟΣΙΑΜΙΛ' (Five Hundred Mils in Greek), '1.6.1982' (Issue date: June 1, 1982), Serial number 'A171631'. BACK SIDE: 'CENTRAL BANK OF CYPRUS' (English), 'FIVE HUNDRED MILS' (English denomination in words), '500' (Arabic numerals for denomination).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving) executed by Banknote Printing Works (BWC) without visible printer's imprint. The fine line work, detailed crosshatching, ornamental borders, and multi-colored ink application are characteristic of professional banknote engraving standards of the early 1980s. The crisp registration and color separation visible in the uncirculated example confirm high-quality intaglio production.
The Pick catalog lists variants P-45a and P-45s, both printed by BWC. The examined note features serial number A171631 and is dated 1.6.1982 (June 1, 1982), the official issue date. Without visible printer imprint and based on catalog records, this appears to be consistent with the standard P-45a variety. No overprints, error features, or unusual characteristics are observed.
