Cuba (1872-77) 50 centavos KM-R5.3

from Stack's Bowers 2016 ANA sale, lot 22248

This specimen was lot 22248 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Anaheim, CA, August 2016), where it sold for $1,410. The catalog description^[1] noted, "CUBA. 50 Centavos, ND (1872-77). PCGS VF-20. Short and thick key countermark on a 1866 United States Half Dollar. Far more scarce than Mexican coinage with similar countermarking. A significant piece and sure to incite heated pursuit." 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 12.5 g, 0.900 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-R5.3.

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.
• ^[1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2016 Anaheim ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2016.

Link to:

• (1841) 2 reales, grill countermark on a Spanish pistareen
• (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 a U.S. bust 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
• return to coins of Cuba