eoka hero — The Central Bank of Cyprus has issued a silver collector coin honouring an Eoka hero, marking a significant event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Eoka struggle against British colonial rule.
- The new coin, which features a nominal value of €5, is minted in proof condition and will carry the year 2025. A limited edition of just 2,000 coins will be made available to the public.
- The obverse side highlights the emblem of the Central Bank of Cyprus along with the word 'Cyprus' presented in Greek, English, and Turkish, alongside the year ‘2025’.
The new coin, which features a nominal value of €5, is minted in proof condition and will carry the year 2025. A limited edition of just 2,000 coins will be made available to the public.
Each coin will be presented in a decorative case and is priced at €55, including VAT. This collector’s item is crafted from an alloy consisting of 92.5 per cent silver and 7.5 per cent copper, with a round shape measuring 38.61 mm in diameter and weighing 28.28 g.
The reverse side of the coin showcases Eoka fighter Grigoris Afxentiou, surrounded by laurel branches. The Central Bank of Cyprus noted, “Grigoris Afxentiou gave his life for the freedom of Cyprus on March 3, 1957, in a battle that went down in history as a symbol of bravery and self-sacrifice.” Inscribed above the image are the words “The death of the brave is not death” in Greek, while the phrase “EOKA 1955-59” is displayed below.
The obverse side highlights the emblem of the Central Bank of Cyprus along with the word ‘Cyprus’ presented in Greek, English, and Turkish, alongside the year ‘2025’.
Sales of the coin will be conducted in two distinct phases. Phase A is set to begin on November 19, 2025, and will run until January 7, 2026. Professional coin dealers and non-profitable numismatic companies can apply between November 19 and November 26, 2025. The Central Bank will evaluate these applications from December 1 to December 5, 2025, reserving the right to approve or deny requests as necessary.
A 10 per cent discount will be offered for purchases of 20 coins or more during both phases, calculated on the total price before VAT. Applications must be submitted electronically via a designated link; any other submission methods will not be accepted.
First-time professional dealers need to register on the CBC’s list of numismatic dealers. This registration requires sending an official document stating that their primary business involves trading numismatic items, along with their VAT number.
Public sales are scheduled to commence on December 8, 2025, continuing until January 7, 2026, or until stocks last. Sales will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis at CBC counters and through electronic channels. Each individual will be limited to purchasing two coins, irrespective of the purchase method.
For electronic applications, customers will receive updates on their application status via email within five working days. Payments for over-the-counter purchases can be made in cash or by Visa and Mastercard, but online purchases will only accept Visa and Mastercard.
Phase B is anticipated to start on January 8, 2026, continuing until the remaining stock is sold. Should any coins still be available after Phase A, all restrictions will be lifted, allowing interested buyers to place orders through the CBC counters or via email, following the guidelines outlined on the CBC website.
