Cuba (1872-77) 8 reales KM-R3
This specimen was lot 2425 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $4,560. The catalog description[1] noted,
"CUBA. Cuba - Mexico. 8 Reales, ND (ca. 1872-77). PCGS Genuine--Tooled, VF Details. Variety B, long and thin key. Countermark applied to the obverse of an 1877-ZsJS Mexican Republic 8 Reales. A VERY SCARCE mint for this series and a seldom encountered denomination that appears on the market with much less frequency than the minors. Another interesting facet is that the host date appears to be the latest recorded date for series with few examples bearing this date regardless of mint or denomination. The countermark is boldly applied with clear diagnostics to a moderately worn host displaying rich mottled gray patina. Close inspection reveals numerous scratches on both the obverse and reverse accounting for the details designation. Despite its shortcomings a handsome example of the type sure to add depth the next collection it enters.
The Key has long been an icon of Cuba for centuries first being used in the Arms of Havana in the 1580s and used in various forms since that time. The island itself is often referred to as the "Key to the Americas" as well as the "Queen of the Antilles". During Cuba's first War for Independence also known as the Ten Year's War (1868-78) the Key was used in what would eventually become the arms of the Republic of Cuba. All known examples of these key countermarks are found on host coins from either Mexico or the United States of America dated prior to the end of the Ten Year's War. Although the exact origins of these key countermarks are unknown, at this time it is the belief of this cataloger that these are a Cuban issue of some nature and as such are of significant historical value to the island."
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. We attribute this counterstamp to 1877 as that is the date on the coin.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: host coin 27.07 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-R3; ANS-1916.999.132.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Byrne, Ray, Coins and Tokens of the Caribees, Decatur, IL: Jess Peters, Inc., 1975.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 NYINC Sale: World and Ancient Coins, featuring the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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 Maximilian 50 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) peso, key countermark on a Mexico Maximilian peso
- (1872-77) peso, key countermark on a Mexico "balance scale" peso
- Mexico 1877-Zs JS 8 reales
- Coins and currency dated 1877