Cuba (1872-77) 50 centavos
This specimen was lot 21374 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $6,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Extremely Rare Cuba 50 Centavos, CUBA. Cuba - Mexico. 50 Centavos, ND (1872-77). PCGS Genuine--Scratch, VF Details. Countermark: Variety B, Long and thin key. Applied to the obverse of a 1866-Mo Mexico Empire of Maximilian 50 Centavos (KM-387). An EXTREMELY RARE one-year host with less than a handful of examples known bearing either countermark variety. This seldom encountered issue boasts a full complete countermark on a moderately worn host displaying lovely rich old cabinet patina. The surfaces exhibit signs of handling consistent for the grade with even wear, though a couple of old scratches account for the details designation long since toned over. Despite its shortcomings, a handsome and presentable example of this unusual host that is destined for an advanced and sophisticated collection of countermarks.
It is of particular interest that this is only the third example of this host type we have confirmed and the only example of come to market in recent years. Missing from most advanced collections of cut and countermarks such as Roehrs, Lyall, John J. Ford Jr., Byrne and Tankersley to name a few, this piece should generate much excitement from interested bidders."
This countermark was applied to various Mexican and U.S. coins during the Ten Years War (1868-78), the first major revolt against Spanish rule. The second revolt, beginning in 1896, attracted American support, leading to the Spanish-American War of 1898. Cuba received her independence in 1903 at the cost of becoming an American client state.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: host coin: 13.54 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-Unlisted.
- Byrne, Ray, Coins and Tokens of the Caribees, Decatur, IL: Jess Peters, Inc., 1975.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
Link to:
- (1872-77) 2 reales, key countermark on a Mexico republic 2 reales
- (1872-77) 4 reales, key countermark on a Mexico republic 4 reales
- (1872-77) 25 centavos, key countermark on a Mexico 25 centavos
- (1872-77) 50 centavos, key countermark on a Mexico balance scale 50 centavos
- (1872-77) 50 centavos, key countermark on U.S. bust half dollar
- (1872-77) 50 centavos, key countermark on U.S. seated liberty half dollar
- (1872-77) 8 reales, key countermark on a Mexico republic 8 reales
- (1872-77) peso, key countermark on a Mexico Maximilian peso
- (1872-77) peso, key countermark on a Mexico "balance scale" peso
- Coins and currency dated 1872