Cyprus 1 Pound Banknote – Rural Heritage & Traditional Craft (2001 Issue)
Pick# 60a | Numista# 206040
Issued by the Central Bank of Cyprus in 2001, this 1 Pound note is a heartfelt tribute to the island’s rural traditions and artisanal legacy. Featuring a portrait of a Cypriot woman in traditional dress and a display of handcrafted pottery, the design celebrates everyday life and cultural continuity in the villages of Cyprus. As one of the final notes before the country adopted the Euro in 2008, it stands as a poignant reminder of national identity expressed through craft, community, and currency.
Design Highlights
Obverse: A dignified portrait of a Cypriot woman in regional attire anchors the front of the note, symbolizing the strength and grace of rural life. Her presence is complemented by a background of traditional earthenware pottery—an homage to Cyprus’s long-standing ceramic traditions. The Central Bank of Cyprus seal appears at right, with bilingual text in Greek and Turkish, reflecting the island’s linguistic heritage.
Reverse: The reverse showcases a collection of ancient and modern Cypriot pottery, rendered in fine detail. These vessels, shaped by hand and fired in village kilns, represent centuries of continuity in form and function. The layout is clean and symmetrical, with subtle framing that evokes classical design.
Color Scheme: Warm ochre and golden brown tones dominate, chosen to reflect the island’s sunbaked landscapes and earthy materials.
Key Specifications
Feature Description
Country Cyprus
Issuer Central Bank of Cyprus
Series Pre-Euro Pound Series
Pick Number P# 60a
Denomination 1 Pound (CYP)
Size 135 × 70 mm
Material Cotton-based paper
Printer Thomas De La Rue (UK)
Year of Issue 2001
Security Features Watermark (Cypriot woman), security thread, microtext, serial numbers
Why Collect This Note
The 2001 Cyprus 1 Pound note offers a quiet but powerful reflection of the island’s cultural roots. It honors the women, artisans, and communities who shaped Cyprus’s identity long before the Euro arrived. For collectors, it’s a note that speaks through texture, tradition, and timeless design.
Ideal for those interested in:
Pre-Euro European currency
Ethnographic and craft-themed banknotes
Cypriot history and rural symbolism
