Cuba 1984 5 pesos KM-666
This specimen was lot 31158 in Heritage Sale 3115 (Chicago, May 2024), where it sold for $33,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "Cuba: The Only Silver Aerostato Proof 5 Pesos Available To Commerce. Republic silver Proof "Hot Air Balloon" 5 Pesos 1984 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC, Havana mint. Reeded edge. "Means of Transportation" series. There are two denominations of this 'Aerostato' or Hot-Air Balloon themed coin; the cupro-nickel Peso and the silver Proof 5 Pesos. The design was ultimately rejected by the authorities and did not proceed to wider production. However, the decision became known only after the mint had already struck twenty-three pieces of the Peso and two examples of the Proof 5 Pesos rendering both types exceedingly rare. To set the rarity and desirability in context, we offered one of the Peso coins this January in MS68 NGC, realizing $3,240 all in. The selection at hand is the only coin available to private hands as the other piece is held at the Cuban mint's collections, and a momentous opportunity for the dedicated specialist of modern Cuban rarities." Other five peso issues for 1984 include KM 117, 119, 131, 141, 143, 145. This issue has a KM number out of sequence with the others and must have been assigned later.
Recorded mintage: 2.
Specification: 12 g, 0.999 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 666, Aledon-PPV5 (RRR).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2024 May 8 - 10 CSNS World Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3115, featuring the Ezen Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2024.
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