Lot 2322

Description

Cyprus, Edward VIII, unofficial pattern forty-five piastres, dated 1937, bare head bust left, by Donald R. Golder, proofs in 925 silver, copper and aluminium bronze. FDC. (120)

The only forty-five piastres issued officially by Cyprus was that in the reign of George V, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of British rule, 1878-1928. The obverse features the 50th anniversary of British rule, 1878-1928. The obverse features the McKennal head of King George V and the reverse a new heraldic design of two lions passant, by Kruger Gray. There were no Cypriot coins issued in the reign of Edward VIII, but the four and a half piastres, the nine piastres, the eighteen piastres and shilling denominated coinage of George VI continued to use a modified form of the 1928 reverse design. The modern series of Cyprus patterns follows the premise that if an Edward VIII forty-five piastres did exist then it probably would have utilised the Kruger Gray reverse design. Total mintage 550 sets.