1 Peso Giant Gar Fish

1981 year


Copper-nickel	11.3 g	29.9 mm

Description

Issuer	Cuba
Period	Second Republic (1959-date)
Type	Non-circulating coin
Year	1981
Value	1 Peso (1&nbspCUP)
Currency	Cuban Peso (moneda nacional, 1914-date)
Composition	Copper-nickel
Weight	11.3 g
Diameter	29.9 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized	1981
Updated	2024-10-04

References

Numista	N#26159
Rarity index	45%

Reverse

Giant Gar Fish (Manjuari), date and mintmark above, circular legends: series on top, animal name on bottom.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
FAUNA CUBANA
1981
MANJUARI

Translation:
Cuban Fauna
1981
Manjuari

Edge

Plain

Comment

Manjuarí or Cuban gar is a primitive fish, dated about 27000 centuries, that makes it a real living fossil.
Adults usually reach 1 m long, but can grow up to 2 m.
Has a long, cylindrical body, with long mandibles, reminding of reptile shape, so, also is called as alligator fish.
Lives in freshwater, on western Cuba and Isla de la Juventud.
Has well developed teeth, cylindrical, and sharp, very useful for their predatory habits, he feeds freshwater fishes and birds.
In spite the fish reminds the sturgeon, their eggs are venomous to human, but their flesh is edible.

source: https://www.ecured.cu/Manjuar%C3%AD

Templates for the dies used were produced at Spain

Interesting fact

The 1981 Cuban 1 Peso coin featuring the Giant Gar Fish is a unique and interesting coin due to its unusual design. The coin's reverse side features a detailed image of a giant gar fish, a species found in Cuban waters, while the obverse side bears the coat of arms of Cuba. This coin is a non-circulating coin, meaning it was not intended for general circulation and was instead produced for collectors or special occasions. Additionally, the coin is made of copper-nickel, a durable and long-lasting metal alloy that is often used in coinage, and weighs 11.3 grams, which is slightly heavier than a standard coin. Overall, this coin is a fascinating piece of numismatic history that highlights Cuba's unique wildlife and cultural heritage.

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
1981	5000	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 1 Peso (Giant Gar Fish) 1981 coin.