As I was numismatically doodling (spending time perusing) through my 2010 Krause-Mishner Standard Catalog of World Coins Cuba's KM# 165 caught my attention. The coin pictured is a commemorative (as are all Peso Coins since 1977) dated 1987. This particular Peso intriqued me more than all the rest because it commemorated another coin from Cuba's past; the 1897 Souvenir Peso. The coin measures 30mm is made of C-N (Cu-Ni) (Copper-Nickel). Instead of describing it further, you take a look. Scroll down to view obverse and reverse: http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-83154819-cuba-peso-1987-unc-conmemorativa-antigua-moneda-_JM Notice the two dates; 1897 and 1987. That's a period of 90 years, yet the coin commemorates the 100th Anniversary. I don't know why. Anyone reading this know why? The original Souvenir Peso carries the date 1897. Here's a photo courtesy of Coin Page: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-7562.html Who's that lady on the coin? According to the Cuban Numismatic Association, "The three versions of the 1897 Souvenir Peso and the 1898 Peso displayed the image of Leonor Molina, a young and beautiful fundraiser for the Revolution." How many 1897 Souvenir Pesos were struck? Here's two excerpts from a Cuban Numismatic Association newsletter, "...on April 17, 1897, an agreement is reached with Gorham Manufacturing Company in Providence, Rhode Island and a contract signed on May 10th to strike 3,000,000 coins with 'the first installment to consist of ten thousand coins to be delivered within sixty days from date of this contract.' "A grand total of 10,000 pieces of this Series is struck (thus fulfilling the terms of the contract) minus 30 defective coins destroyed on September 17th, for a net mintage of 9,970 pieces. On March 9th, 1898, the Junta returns five additional pieces to Gorham for destruction in order to square away the accounts. The final net outstanding coinage struck thus settles at 9,965 pieces." Want to know the 1987 commemorative's mintage? 3,000 uncirculated NCLTs and 3,000 proofs. Hope you enjoyed... Clinker
Now this may be a dumb question but - does it? According to my catalog, the 1987 issue commemorates the 90th anniversary. In 1997 Cuba issued a silver 10 pesos piece (1 oz, basically the same design) which commemorates 100 years of the Souvenir Peso. I don't actively collect Cuban coins so I don't really know ... Christian
My single selection for this "TRIVIA" post was the 1987 Peso (KM# 165) because it honors a previous coin and because it has those two dates on it which got me to wondering. Christian, What's the KM number on the 1997 10 Pesos? Clinker
Hmm, in my Schön catalog (German) it has the number 536 [647], so 647 should be the KM number. Will try and look it up ... (Edit) Found it: Numismaster (click here) lists the piece, for some reason with the 1998 date though. If the direct link does not work, go to www.numismaster.com and click on "Find My Coin" on the right. Then select "World", in the country field you type or select "Cuba". Enter 536 as the KM# and voilà. A small image only; guess you'll get more info and better pictures as a registered user ... Christian
Link worked. Yes, it's dated 1988, and bears the correct commemoration dates 1887 and 1987 (100 years). Thanks Christian for the help... Clinker
