Cuba 1897 peso
This specimen was part of lot 50384 in Ponterio sale 168 (Philadelphia, August 2012), where it sold for $764. The catalog description[1] noted, "CUBA. Souvenir Peso, 1897. PCGS MS-64 Secure Holder. Star above baseline. Light, hazy tone." The originals were patterns struck for the Cuban patriots fighting against the Spanish prior to the Spanish-American war. Many were sold to collectors as a fundraiser. Numerous restrikes exist. Steve Album commented in his sale 54 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2026),
"The souvenir pesos were designed by Philip Martiny and produced in the United States to raise money for Cuba's struggle for independence. They were struck by the Gorham Manufacturing Co. of Providence, Rhode Island. The reverse image represents the Republic, and is based on a portrait of Leonor Molina Adán, cousin of José Zayas, Treasury Delegate of the Revolutionary Movement, and also an active member of the group. Known as the "Souvenir Peso," the three types from 1897 (and their respective patterns) were part of the coins minted to contribute to funds of the Movement, as well as the 1 peso minted in 1898."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: Bruce-M3.
- Byrne, Ray, Coins and Tokens of the Caribees, Decatur, IL: Jess Peters, Inc., 1975.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 168: The Official ANA Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.
Link to:
- 1915 peso
- 1916 peso
- Coins and currency dated 1897
- return to coins of Cuba