2004 is the last date in the story of the Cypriot bull’s-head five cents: the type was never struck again, and four years later the pound’s cents gave way to the euro.

The reverse is a direct quotation from antiquity. According to the Central Bank of Cyprus, the bull’s head comes from a silver bowl of the 14th century BC whose handle resembles a wishbone; the value «5» sits below. The obverse holds the arms of the Republic — a dove with an olive branch, the independence year 1960, laurel branches — and the country’s name in Greek, Turkish and English: «ΚΥΠΡΟΣ», «KIBRIS», «CYPRUS».

The decimal cent system ran in Cyprus from October 1983, and this design was issued from 1991. The euro reached the island on 1 January 2008, and by 31 January pound coins were no longer accepted in payment.

For a 5 cents year run, 2004 is the closing date that completes the series begun in 1991. The coin also suits collectors of the final issues of national currencies retired by the euro.

UNC condition means the coin never circulated: no wear, full mint lustre, with at most minor bag marks from bank storage.

If you collect coins by country or by theme, take a look at the VPcoins catalogue: it is a convenient place to find the neighbouring pieces of a series.