Cyprus

1894 issue 45p
1903 issue 9p (two types)
1903 issue 18p (five types, four are new in Sperati II)
1903 issue 45p (three types)

UPDATE January 2024: In relation to new items recently acquired in a Swiss auction, Peter Lambri in the UK has observed varieties and as he describes directly below in italics:

1903 Cyprus KEVII 9 pi mint

A. Side of numeral ‘9’ flat - your example Type A?
B. Base of ‘P’ in ‘PIASTRES’ bulging or bifurcated.
C. End of bottom loop in last ‘S’ in ‘PIASTRES’ not horizontal.
D. Top loop in ‘S’ in ‘CYPRUS’ shorter than bottom.
E. Nick in lower left curve of ‘C’ in ‘CYPRUS’ - per your type A but not identified.

There is a clear break in the framing brown line around the voice box of king’s neck.
The crown has various inconsistencies (top, middle & bottom, left & right)

1903 Cyprus KEVII 18pi mint

A. Top loop of ‘S’ in ‘CYPRUS’ shorter than bottom - Frajola examples Type A?
B. Lower left side of ‘I’ in ‘PIASTRES’ protrudes and is uneven.
C. Top right loop of ‘8’ in ‘18’ flat or nicked.

1903 Cyprus KEVII 18pi used

A. Top loop of ‘S’ in ‘CYPRUS’ not symmetrical with bottom. - Frajola Type A?
B. Clear NE-SW scratch or white line above king’s eyebrow.

Sperati reproduced the 1894 issue 45p, the 1903 issue 9p (two types), the issue 18p (five types) and the 45p (three types). His reproductions were printed on genuine, watermarked stamp paper with design washed. He is known to have forged cancels but all that are shown here have genuine cancels retained. Included below are six types that were reported in Sperati II as well as one, the 1894 issue 45p, that was thought to exist and mentioned in Sperati I but had not been seen until after Sperati II was published.

page thumbnails:

1894 Issue 45p

1. the "P" of "PIASTRES" has a flat top

2. there is a small bump on the left frameline level to the eye

2. the back of the numeral "9" is flat
 

2. there is a white spot between the two horizontal shading lines to right of the tip of the beard

1. there are constant white spots in the background around the twoe lowest white diamonds in left frame

2. there is a weak top to the "S" in "CYPRUS"

(image is photoprint of proof, ex Robson Lowe )

1. a small vertical white line joins upper and lower framelines above "CY" of "CYPRUS"

2. there is a thin line connecting the outer framelines at level of third diamond from bottom

1. there is a white blotch at NW side of second diamond from top at left side

2. there is a break in upper horizontal line above the "E" of "PIASTRES"

1. the "8" of "18" has nicks at bottom and right side

2. there is a white spot in the outer frameline at the lower left corner

1. there is a break to the front outline of neck

2. there is a diagonal break running NW to SE across four shading lines at top of head

1. there is a nick at top right of the "R" of "CYPRUS"

2. there is a nick at top left of the "S" of "CYPRUS"

1. there is a white spot in the upright of the "R" of "CYPRUS"

2. there is a white spot between the crown and the top of the head

1. there is a large colored dot to left of the "Y" of "CYPRUS"

2. in front of the nose there are three white spots

additional information from Sperati I:  Plate 4   Plate 5   Cyprus Text
additional information from Sperati II:  Plate A   Cyprus Text

Richard Frajola (Jan 24, 2024)