Cyprus 1980 Centenary of First Stamp Specimen Set

Cyprus · 1980 · Various

This set of four stamps commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first postage stamps issued in Cyprus. Each stamp features a design based on the original 1880 Queen Victoria definitive stamps, overprinted with 'SPECIMEN' in red. The designs reproduce the ½ piastre, 1 piastre, 2 piastres, and 4 piastres values from the first issue.

Issued in 1980, this set celebrates a century of postal history in Cyprus, which began under British administration in 1878, with the first stamps appearing two years later. 'Specimen' stamps were not sold for postage but were distributed to postal administrations worldwide through the Universal Postal Union.