Moneta's Temple and Gallery

Cuba - 20 Centavos 1915

Moneta — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:01:00 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: I believe this nice example to be the High Relief version with fine reeding. These are determined by a more distinct valley on the star and light strike of the palm & key on the obverse. This example is just off UNC with great luster over most of the surface. No distractions on a light golden tone. I believe these were struck at the Philadelphia mint. Photo does not do justice...

Cuba - Souvenir Peso 1897

Moneta — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 10:59:32 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: The commonly seen Type II Cuban Souvenir Peso of 1897 with 'Close Date, Star BELOW 97 baseline.' A great portrait coin of the freedom fighter Leonor Molina, the Cuban beauty who posed as model for the Liberty obverse. The following is an excerpt from an article by Emilio Ortiz on this series: "The year is 1897 and Cuba has been up in arms for the last two years, fighting for the third time since 1868 a war for its independence against Spain. The Cuban Revolutionary Junta in New York is headed by Don Tomas Estrada Palma, Plenipotentiary Delegate of the Republic of Cuba (in Arms) who is responsible in the U.S. for all matters related to the Cuban liberty struggle, with the raising of funds for the cause being of paramount importance. Little did these Cuban patriots know that this time around they would succeed, but only in a roundabout way." Mintage for this variety is 4,286 and it was contracted to the Gorham Manufacturing Company in Providence, Rhode Island. Leonor Molina herself was presented with the lone gold striking of this coin type. It appears KM (X) is incorrect on some of their information. For a great history and a detailed and accurate account of this wonderful coin I refer you to the Ortiz article at the Cuban Numismatic Association site: http://www.cubannumismaticassociation.com/CNANL-02/SouvenirPesos.html Also, see this blog entry at the ANA site (coinsbygary), it offers a more understandable history of this coin: https://money.org/collector/coinsbygary/blog/the-1897-cuban-souvenir-peso

Cuba - 50 Centavos Marti

Moneta — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 09:57:40 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Centennial of Jose Marti's birth. Designed by Esteban Valderrama.

Cuba Jose Marti 25 Centavos

Moneta — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 18:07:07 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Centennial of the Birth of Jose Marti, a one year type. Worn example of a coin that is still difficult to find in the USA due to the embargo. Worn example that prominently features a fasces and a liberty cap. 19 M minted. This is a second example. Designed by Esteban Valderrama.

Cuba - Che Guevara Peso

Moneta — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 17:59:57 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Part of the vast product of Cuba, which I believe are all struck in Spain (let me know my error). Pure copper issue of the 40th Anniversary of his Death, which couldn't have come too soon for his enemies. Still worshiped as an icon of the Communist Revolution. He led an interesting life that has been summarized in this PBS article, follow this: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/castro-che-guevara-1928-1967/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_2989298

Cuba - ABC Peso 1936

Moneta — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 16:58:59 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: I really like the "ABC" Peso, but that's not why I have two examples here. While looking to start a small collection of "BANNED" Cuban coins (just try to search for 'Cuba' in the coin section of eBay, 06/2015), I noticed a difference in the date style and laurel wreath of Liberty. The 1934 (1st yr of issue) has a overlapped date and the wreath leaves (especially) appear to have been tooled on the edges. This 1936 lacks those features. I cannot find a reference that specifies a variety of type 1 vs. 2, but I think it qualifies when such a difference is so apparent. The fineness and weight appear on the reverse and as these were struck at USA mints, it's exactly the same as a US silver dollar. They were coined as a bullion reserve to guarantee the value of the paper currency issues of 1934 and later. Imagine the concept of backing up your fiat paper with silver in reserve hard currency. If we did that in the USA we could save ourselves from eventual hyper inflation and economic collapse - just saying... The following from Steve Album: The ABC peso achieved its odd name from a group titled the "ABC". This group was a clandestine, revolutionary protest group with members from the University of Havana and young professionals who raised against the dictatorial rule of President Gerardo Machado. The ABC got its simple name from the three alphabetical cells its members belonged to; A, B, and C.

Cuba Star Peso - 1933

Moneta — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 15:36:48 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Cuban Star Pesos were produced in the United States for Cuba in 1915 and 1916 and then again for 1932, 1933 and 1934. They were struck on silver dollar blanks identical to those used for Peace Dollars. They are listed as High Relief for 1915, but according to specialists, this feature can also be found on some 1916's, which is not noted in KM. Due to the high relief the key and surrounding area can be weak on the reverse.

Cuba ABC Peso - 1934

Moneta — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 15:16:04 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Cuban ABC pesos were produced at the U.S. Philadelphia mint from 1934-1939. This coin was the same in weight and fineness as the Peace Dollar. They were coined as a bullion reserve to guarantee the value of the paper currency issues of 1934 and later. With the bold and beautiful portrait of Liberty and her cap it is a standout numismatic item for Cuba. This 1934 has the lowest mintage but does not have a premium value, all of them value at a premium if they can be found in gem Unc. I notice that the date font and design treatment is different for the 1934, with more flair, than later issues. It would qualify it for type I/II designations under the US collector system. This coin is uncleaned with a light golden tone; many crowns of Cuba show signs of having been cleaned and mishandled. The obverse/reverse are rotated in this photo. See the 1936 version where I wrote: I really like the "ABC" Peso, but that's not why I have two examples here. While looking to start a small collection of "BANNED" Cuban coins (just try to search for 'Cuba' in the coin section of eBay, 06/2015), I noticed a difference in the date style and laurel wreath of Liberty. The 1934 (1st yr of issue) has a overlapped date and the wreath leaves (especially) appear to have been tooled on the edges. This 1936 lacks those features. I cannot find a reference that specifies a variety of type 1 vs. 2, but I think it qualifies when such a difference is so apparent. The fineness and weight appear on the reverse and as these were struck at USA mints, it's exactly the same as a US silver dollar. The following from Steve Album: The ABC peso achieved its odd name from a group titled the "ABC". This group was a clandestine, revolutionary protest group with members from the University of Havana and young professionals who raised against the dictatorial rule of President Gerardo Machado. The ABC got its simple name from the three alphabetical cells its members belonged to; A, B, and C.

Cuba 20 Centavos - 1949

Moneta — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:53:43 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Minor of the Star type. An intermittent type issued from 1915 to this last one of 1949. Some dates and reeding types are very rare and valuable. Until the US embargo is lifted (coming soon) the way to find coins from Cuba on eBay, that bans the word CUBA, is to search for PATRIA Y LIBERTAD.

Cuba - Jose Marti Peso 1953

Moneta — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:44:26 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Centennial of Birth of Jose Marti in 1953. Most Cuban coins feature an image of a Key somewhere in the design. This first appeared on coins as a counterstamp in the late 19th century during the struggle for independence, before the Spanish American War.

Cuba - Marti 25c 1953

Moneta — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:34:00 -0400

Cuba - Che Guevara 3 Pesos

Moneta — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:21:25 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: The famous icon of revolution - CHE! His portrait appears far more often than that of Castro on many difference series of coins from Cuba. I suppose this was to suppress the 'cult of personality' that purist Communists try to avoid, North Korea excepted. The type appeared first in 1990 on copper nickel, for 1992 and 1995 the coin became nickel plated steel. Image of Ernesto "Che" Guevara reproduces the photography "Guerrillero Heroico" (Guerilla Hero), taken by Alberto Díaz Gutiérrez "Korda" during the funerals of the victims of the explosion of "Le Coubre" vessel. On this event Fidel Castro gave the speech named "Patria o Muerte", that shows in this coin and many others. He led an interesting life that has been summarized in this PBS article, follow this: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/castro-che-guevara-1928-1967/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_2989298

Cuba Peso - Castro 1993

Moneta — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:08:37 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Struck to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the July 26th 1953 assault on Santiago de Cuba barracks by General Moncada after whom the barracks would later be named. 40th Anniversary of the Attack on Moncada Barracks by Cuban revolutionaries on July 26, 1953. Fidel Castro and others served jail time, which sort of contradicts the supposed evils of the Marti government, because government troops were killed. Reverse features an impressive portrait of Castro in uniform (sides reversed in photo). These are copper plated bronze, which is a little unusual. There are two types, this being the second type with flat rim, the other having a beveled rim and a little less weight. KM shows an equal value for both. Cuban coins post US embargo (early '60's) are hard to find, I found a few coming out of Spain.

Remember the Maine

Moneta — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 14:21:37 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: A very fine example of this Major event token. The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana, Cuba had a direct connection to the subsequent Spanish_American War. While the cause was probably exploding coil dust, both sides blamed each other. In the US, blaming Spain won out, but accusations that the US had done it to start the war also flourished in light of the USA occupying the Philippines, etc. All examples have the hole as a process of the mint. Better in hand than the photo indicates. RX: "Cuba Must Be Free" w/ Cuban Flag.