1950 Cuba 50 Pesos Banco Nacional PMG 64 EPQ Ch Unc Pick 81a Calixto Garcia Iniguez

1950 Cuba 50 Pesos Banco Nacional PMG 64 EPQ Ch Unc Pick 81a Calixto Garcia Iniguez

Offered is a handsome 1950 50 Pesos note from Cuba, issued by the Banco Nacional de Cuba and certified PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ.

This type is listed as Pick 81a and features the portrait of independence general Calixto García Iñiguez, with the distinctive red serial numbers and red Banco Nacional star seal. The note was produced by the renowned American Bank Note Company, whose detailed engraving defines Cuba’s pre-revolution series.

Authenticity & Technical Details

• Country: Cuba

• Issuer: Banco Nacional de Cuba

• Series / Date: Serie de 1950

• Denomination: 50 Pesos (Cincuenta Pesos)

• Catalog: Pick 81a

• Printer: American Bank Note Company (ABNC)

• Serial numbers: Red, prefix/suffix “A … A”

• Grade: PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ – Choice Unc with Exceptional Paper Quality designation

PMG encapsulation ensures the note’s authenticity and confirms fully original paper, color, and embossing with no processing, backed by the EPQ label.

Historical Significance

This 50-peso issue comes from the final decade of Cuba’s First Republic (1902–1959), a time when the Cuban peso was trusted, convertible, and closely linked to the U.S. dollar. High-denomination notes like this circulated in a modernizing economy only a few years before the revolution and later currency reforms.

The portrait honors General Calixto García Iñiguez, a key leader in the Ten Years’ War and subsequent independence struggles. Long celebrated as a national hero, García symbolizes the sacrifice and determination that shaped the Cuban republic, making his appearance on this high-value note especially meaningful.

Design & Features

Obverse

• Central oval portrait of Calixto García framed by laurel sprays and ornate scrollwork.

• Bold arched title “BANCO NACIONAL DE CUBA” across the top.

• Denomination shown in several formats:

  • Large “50” counters in each corner

  • Word “CINCUENTA” across the center over the red star seal

  • Raised, metallic-style “50 PESOS” device at right

• Vivid red national-bank star seal at left with matching red serials left and right, giving excellent color contrast against the yellow central field.

• Legal-tender text along the bottom attesting that the note is fully guaranteed by gold, foreign exchange, and other assets of the Banco Nacional and constitutes an obligation of the Cuban state.

Reverse

• Printed in rich orange-yellow, showcasing the coat of arms of the Republic of Cuba in a circular frame at center.

• Large script “CINCUENTA PESOS” in an elaborate scroll cartouche, flanked by “50” counters in all four corners.

• Banner “REPUBLICA DE CUBA” above and a repeat of the legal clause below, all surrounded by fine ABNC guilloche patterns.

The combination of strong color, classic engraving, and intricate border work makes this one of the most attractive mid-century Cuban high-value notes.

Remarkable Denomination

At 50 Pesos, this was a major value in 1950s Cuba—used for salaries, savings, and significant commercial payments when the peso still held substantial purchasing power. Today, the note’s face value is purely historical, but it stands as a tangible reminder of the country’s pre-revolution financial system and gold-backed currency.

Catalog Reference

• Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Pick 81a – 50 Pesos, 1950, red serial numbers, Banco Nacional de Cuba, Calixto García portrait, printed by ABNC.

Including the Pick number in your listing helps serious collectors and catalog users identify this exact type quickly.

Collector’s Value

For collectors of Cuban, Caribbean, or ABNC-printed paper money, this note offers an appealing mix of:

• A high-denomination pre-revolution type

• A popular portrait of Calixto García Iñiguez, a major independence hero

• Detailed American Bank Note Company engraving with strong color contrast

• Third-party certification as PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ, an excellent grade for a type set or upgrade piece

Whether you are building a Cuba country collection, a Latin-American showcase, or simply want a note that combines history, artistry, and high-grade originality, this 1950 50 Pesos PMG 64 EPQ will be a standout addition.