Mondgestein
The report is that the Cyprus goodwill Moon rock plaque wasn't actually given to the Cyprus government. The plaque display with the Apollo 17 "Moon rock" and the Cyprus flag were kept at the US embassy in Nicosia for protection during the tumultuous events of the 1974 coup d'état (Turkish invasion). The presentation to the Cyprus government of the plaque of the Cyprus goodwill Moon rock of Apollo 17 was temporarily delayed because of these events. Meanwhile US ambassador to Cyprus, Rodger Davies, was killed during this coup. The American diplomatic personnel left the island. During all these events the Cyprus goodwill Moon rock plaque mysteriously came up missing. The small plaque, complete with the 1 gram "Moon rock" and Cyprus flag, eventually showed up on the black market some 29 years later in 2003. The person that wanted to sell the plaque was the son of the previous US diplomat. US law enforcement stepped in and got involved, but the diplomat relative disappeared as did the wooden plaque with the 'Moon rock' and Cyprus flag.