Cyprus Queen Victoria Key Plate Type

Cyprus · 1881 · 1/2 Piastre

This stamp is the first postage stamp issued by Cyprus under British administration. It features a portrait of Queen Victoria in a central oval, framed by a 'key plate' design common to many British colonial issues of the era. The denomination 'HALF PIASTRE' is overprinted on the original 'ONE PENNY' value.

Issued in 1881, this stamp marks the beginning of British postal services in Cyprus, which had come under British administration in 1878. It was created by overprinting existing British stamps.