© IUN - Instituto Uruguayo de Numismática
© IUN - Instituto Uruguayo de Numismática
Souvenir Peso Type I; Date widely spaced
1897 year| Silver (.900) | 22.5 g | 36 mm |
| Issuer | Cuba |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 1897 |
| Value | 1 Peso |
| Currency | Pre-Republic (1870-1898) |
| Composition | Silver (.900) |
| Weight | 22.5 g |
| Diameter | 36 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | 18 July 1897 |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#119212 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Female head right divides date, representing the Republic
motto on circular legend above, "SOUVENIR" on excergue
Script: Latin
Lettering:
* PATRIA Y LIBERTAD *
18 97
PAT. 97.
SOUVENIR
Translation:
Fatherland and freedom
1897
Patent 97
Souvenir
Engraver: Philip Martiny
Edge
Reeded
Comment
"Peso Souvenir" type IReverse image represents the Republic, and is based on a portrait of Leonor Molina Adán, cousin of José Zayas, Treasury Delegate of the Revolutionary Movement, and also active member of the group.
Known as "Peso Souvenir", the 3 types from 1897 (and their respective patterns), were part of the coins minted to collect funds for the Movement, as well as the 1 Peso minted on 1898.
On 1897 the "1 Peso" denomination was replaced by the word "Souvenir", as US Government would have refused to mint a currency of a country fighting against other with which had diplomatic relations. On 1898, the relation have changed after the vessel "Maine", from US exploded at La Habana port, US government attributed to Spain, and they started war on Apr. 1898; therefore the version of 1898 showed "1 Peso", as there was no reason to use Souvenir instead.
On type I, date is widely spaced, and star on right is aligned with date.
The legend "Pat. 97." on truncation, was added cause design would be patented, but the lawyers of Gorham, concluded was not necessary to register design.
This type was minted at Dunn Air-Brake Company (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), on Aug. 8th. to 18th., 1897.
858 coins were minted, but 30 were destroyed, as found them defective.
Interesting fact
The Souvenir Peso (Type I; Date widely spaced) 1897 from Cuba is an interesting coin because it was minted during a time of great change and upheaval in Cuba's history. The coin was issued in 1897, just a year before the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, which would ultimately lead to Cuba's independence from Spain. Additionally, the coin was minted during a period of economic and political turmoil in Cuba, as the country was facing economic struggles and political unrest. Despite these challenges, the coin remains a popular collector's item today, and its silver content and unique design make it a valuable and interesting piece of numismatic history.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1897 | 858 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for Souvenir Peso (Type I; Date widely spaced) 1897 coin.
