Cuba - Souvenir Peso 1897 - Museum Gallery

April 2024

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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: [ link ]
Also, see this blog entry at the ANA site (coinsbygary), it offers a more understandable history of this coin:
[ link ]