View source for Cuba (1872-77) peso KM-R7

[[Image:SB122-2423o.jpg|300px|thumb|from the Stack's Bowers 2022 NYINC sale, lot 2423]]
[[Image:SB122-2423r.jpg|300px|thumb]]

This specimen was lot 2423 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $3,960. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"CUBA. [[Cuba]] - [[Mexico]]. Peso, ND (ca. 1872-77). PCGS EF-40. Variety A, Short and thick key. Countermark applied to the obverse of an [[Mexico 1873-Go S peso|1873-GoS Mexico Republic 'Balance Scale' Peso]]. A SCARCE and seldom encountered denomination from this series. The countermark is boldly applied with clear diagnostics of the punch on an attractive and moderately worn host. The surfaces exhibit signs of handling consistent for the grade displaying lovely gray patina with areas of richer coloration amongst the devices and an attractive iridescent sheen. This handsome looking survivor offers much originality and is pleasing to the eye sure to attractive the attention of many collectors.

<p>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."</p></blockquote> 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 1873 as that is the date on the coin.

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown.

''Specification:'' host coin 27.07 g, 0.903 fine silver. 

''Catalog reference:'' KM-R7; ANS-Not listed. 

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* 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.
* <sup>[1]</sup>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:''
* [[Cuba (1872-77) 2 reales KM-R1|(1872-77) 2 reales, key countermark on a Mexico republic 2 reales]]
* [[Cuba (1872-77) 4 reales KM-R2|(1872-77) 4 reales, key countermark on a Mexico republic 4 reales]]
* [[Cuba (1872-77) 25 centavos KM-R4.1|(1872-77) 25 centavos, key countermark on a Mexico 25 centavos]]
* [[Cuba (1872-77) 50 centavos|(1872-77) 50 centavos, key countermark on a Maximilian 50 centavos]]
* [[Cuba (1872-77) 50 centavos KM-R5.1|(1872-77) 50 centavos, key countermark on a Mexico balance scale 50 centavos]]
* [[Cuba (1872-77) 50 centavos KM-R5.2|(1872-77) 50 centavos, key countermark on U.S. bust half dollar]]
* [[Cuba (1872-77) 50 centavos KM-R5.3|(1872-77) 50 centavos, key countermark on U.S. seated liberty half dollar]]
* [[Cuba (1872-77) 8 reales KM-R3|(1872-77) 8 reales, key countermark on a Mexico republic 8 reales]]
* [[Cuba (1872-77) peso KM-R6|(1872-77) peso, key countermark on a Mexico Maximilian peso]]
* [[Mexico 1873-Go S peso]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1873]]

[[Category:Selections from the Stack's Bowers 2022 NYINC sale]][[Category:Cut and countermarked coinage of the Caribbean]]