{"product_id":"cyprus-1901-18-piastres-vf-ef-vf30","title":"Cyprus 1901 18 Piastres VF-EF (VF30)","description":"Cyprus 1901 18 Piastres VF-EF (VF30) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe United Kingdom’s control of Cyprus began in 1878, when the island was ceded by the Ottoman Empire under the terms of the Cyprus Convention. Initially administered as a protectorate, Cyprus became strategically valuable to Britain as a base for safeguarding routes to India and projecting power in the eastern Mediterranean. In 1914, at the outset of World War I, Britain formally annexed the island after the Ottoman Empire entered the war on the opposing side, and it was later declared a Crown Colony in 1925. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBritish rule in Cyprus was marked by a mix of administrative reform and growing local unrest. Many Greek Cypriots supported Enosis, or union with Greece, while Turkish Cypriots generally opposed this, favoring either continued British rule or partition. Tensions escalated in the 1950s with the emergence of the nationalist group EOKA, which launched an armed campaign against British authority. After years of conflict and negotiation, Britain granted Cyprus independence in 1960, though it retained sovereign military base areas on the island, a legacy of its long strategic involvement there. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eObverse: Crowned and veiled bust of Victoria facing left, with the legend around. \u003cbr\u003eReverse: A crowned Shield of Arms bearing the Lusignan lion divides the date, and the denomination in words below. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecifications: \u003cbr\u003eMonarch: Victoria (1879-1901) \u003cbr\u003eEngraver: George William de Saulles \u003cbr\u003eComposition: 0.925 Silver \u003cbr\u003eWeight: 11.3 g \u003cbr\u003eDiameter: 30 mm \u003cbr\u003eEdge: Reeded \u003cbr\u003eDie Axis: ↑↑ \u003cbr\u003eMint: The Royal Mint, London, United Kingdom \u003cbr\u003eMintage: 200,000","brand":"Colonial Acres Coins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53383014711594,"sku":"WC-6665","price":255.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1022\/4916\/9194\/files\/WC-6665.jpg?v=1793314469","url":"https:\/\/goodscalvero.shop\/products\/cyprus-1901-18-piastres-vf-ef-vf30","provider":"Arvella Studio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}