Rare Collectibles from Cyprus: 2-Euro Commemorative Coins

If you’re lucky enough to find a euro coin from Cyprus in your wallet, you should be extremely pleased. These pieces only find their way out of the country on very rare occasions. For this mere reason, it is to be expected that 2-euro commemorative coins cannot be found at all in our circulation money. And, unfortunately, that’s the truth. At the same time, this situation is a blessing for coin dealers, who are sure to welcome us as customers and friends of euro coins. The Republic of Cyprus doesn’t have its own mint, which is why all euro coins are produced in Finland, the Netherlands or Greece. However, no coin features the mint mark of a foreign mint. So far, some error coins have been found in circulation, most of them being minor die chips. If you look for error coins online, you will quickly notice that any coin can be turned into an “error coin” by means of a few selected phrases. Many manipulate these coins to “refine” them. What can I say, quack doctors and charlatans have always been around, unfortunately.

2-Euro Circulation Coins

The Republic of Cyprus has been a euro country issuing its own euro coins since 2008. The reverse design (RV) meets the requirements set for all euro countries. Since 2008, the obverse (OBV) has featured a cross-shaped idol from the collection of the Archaeological Museum of Lefkosia (Nicosia). In addition, the country’s name above and the year on the bottom right. There is no mint mark of the corresponding mint. The reeded edge reads 2 ΕΥΡΩ 2 ΕURO 2 ΕΥΡΩ 2 ΕURO.

Just like 2-euro commemorative coins, all 2-euro circulation coins consist of a ring made of cupronickel. The core is made of nickel brass with a nickel core (CuNi / Ni, CuNiZn plated). All pieces can slightly be attracted by a magnet at the centre.

Technical Specifications

• Weight: 8.50 g
• Diameter: 25.75 mm
• Reeded edge
• In addition to the reeded edge, circulation coins from Cyprus feature the edge inscription 2 ΕΥΡΩ 2 ΕURO 2 ΕΥΡΩ 2 ΕURO.

Particularities

Coloured or gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency. Some coins show a larger gap between ring and centre, this is no minting error but a mere coincidence. Even if small parts of the euro stars are no longer visible due to the gap, it’s still a minting coincidence. These pieces are worth 2 euros – nothing more!

Mint Error Coins

There are pieces with minor die chips. However, be careful as there are many offers trying to sell manipulated coins as error coins on the market. Most of them are not done very skilfully, and it’s easy to recognise the fake with a little routine and experience.

Appraisal

2-euro coins from Cyprus are hardly ever found in circulation. Mint state specimens can be purchased on the secondary market at 6 to 10 euros. Prices for coins with minor die chips, which can be visible on both sides, start at 15 euros.

Joint Issues of the Eurozone

The Republic of Cyprus participated in the joint issues of the eurozone of 2009, 2012 and 2015. So far, no mint error coins have been found. These pieces are hardly ever found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state coins range from 5 to 10 euros. The prices of all three joint issues is sure to increase in the future. The 2012 and 2015 are already sought-after right now. Therefore, I will discuss both pieces in more detail.

Joint Issue 10 Years of the Euro 2012

This was the second joint issue for the Republic of Cyprus, and with a mintage number of 975,000 pieces, the coins stood a good chance of circulating in northern Euro countries, too. In fact, however, they were hardly ever seen because collectors had apparently seized the opportunity rather quickly. Once again, the secondary market is our only chance to get our hands on such a specimen. But those who hesitate today will soon have to pay a higher price. Currently, mint state specimens are offered at 5 euros. But the price is constantly increasing. The OBV stylises the euro as global currency. At the top is the name of the country, at the bottom “2002-2012” for 10 years of the euro. The edge inscription is the same as that on 2-euro circulation coins.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2-euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, look for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.

Appraisal

These coins cannot or hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens start at 5 euros.

Joint Issue 30th Anniversary of the EU Flag 2015

With only 336,000 specimens, the 2015 joint issue had an unusually low mintage figure, which is why it was coveted right from the start. It is hardly possible to purchase the piece for less than 7 euros on the secondary market. If you want to buy it, you shouldn’t wait long. The OBV depicts twelve people and the EU flag. At the top is the country’s name and on the right “1985-2015” for the anniversary of the EU flag as a symbol of the European Union. In addition, there are the initials of Georgios Stamatopoulos, who designed the piece. The edge inscription is the same as that on 2-euro circulation coins.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2-euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, look for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.

Appraisal

These coins cannot or hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens start at 7 euros.

European Capital of Culture 2017 Paphos

The excavation site of the ancient city of Paphos, which is called Pafos today, is located on the southwest coast of Cyprus. In 2017, the site was chosen as the European Capital of Culture. It is famous for the preserved ruins and floor mosaics from Roman times. The entire territory is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The OBV shows the Roman Odeon from the 2nd century, which has been almost completely reconstructed. At the bottom is the country’s name and at the top left the year of issue as part of the text. The edge inscription is the same as that on 2-euro circulation coins.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2-euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency. Although the pieces may look tempting, they are worthless – so hands off! No bank will accept such a piece.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, look for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.

Appraisal

These coins cannot or hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens start at 5 euros. Here, too, prices are sure to increase in future.

 

Dear friends of 2-euro commemorative coins,

This series will soon be continued with the small states of the eurozone – Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City. I am sure it will be just as interesting to learn about some pieces with potential from these countries. Until then, I hope that you always have a rich source to get these rare coins, and find some beautiful error coins in your wallet!

Yours
numiscontrol

 

In the online database Cosmos of Collectibles you can find all 2-euro coins of Cyprus.

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The author numiscontrol already dealt with the rarities among 2-euro commemorative coins of other countries, too. Here you can read his articles on coins from

• Spain
• Slovenia
• Slovakia and
• Portugal

And here you can find his series on rare 2 euro pieces from Germany and on the joint EU issues (in German).

Find out more about our author numiscontrol, alias Reiner Graff, in our Who’s Who.

The collecting expert made it his mission to introduce beginners to the world of coin collecting – here you can read his series “Coin Care in Simple Terms”.