Cyprus – Scott # 531

Description

Issued in 1980 to mark the Centenary of Cyprus’s first postage stamps (1880–1980), Scott #531 features a beautifully executed design that pays tribute to the island’s early philatelic history.

The central artwork reproduces the classic Queen Victoria 1 Shilling green keyplate issue, complete with simulated cancellation bars and bold overprint reading “CYPRUS”, echoing how the original British stamps were overprinted for use on the island during the colonial period. The cancellation-style overlay and large “1942” marking evoke Cyprus’s long postal heritage and the transition from Victorian-era issues to independent designs.

The vertical country inscription ΚΥΠΡΟΣ • KIBRIS • CYPRUS appears at left, with the denomination 175 mils at bottom. The soft parchment-colored background enhances the antique aesthetic of the reproduced classic stamp.

This example is Mint Never Hinged, clean, crisp, and post-office fresh—highly desirable for collectors of philatelic history, classic stamp reproductions, commemorative issues, and Cyprus postal history.