Description

1950 Cuba 50 Pesos Banco Nacional PMG 65 EPQ Gem UNC Pick 81a Calixto Garcia Iñiguez

Offered is a handsome 1950 50 Pesos note from Cuba, issued by the Banco Nacional de Cuba and certified PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ.

Catalogued as Pick 81a, this type shows the portrait of independence general Calixto García Iñiguez, with bold red serial numbers and the red national-bank star seal. The note was printed by the legendary American Bank Note Company, whose detailed engraving defines mid-century Cuban paper money.

Note & Holder 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, with prefix/suffix “A … A”
Grade: PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ – Gem note with Exceptional Paper Quality designation
Holder text: “Banco Nacional De Cuba – 50 Pesos Portrait: C. García Iñiguez – Red Serial #’s”

PMG encapsulation provides secure protection, clear attribution, and independent verification of authenticity and paper originality.

Historical Background

This 50-peso note belongs to the last generation of pre-revolution Cuban pesos, issued when the national currency still circulated at or near parity with the U.S. dollar and was backed by gold and foreign exchange reserves.

The portrait honors General Calixto García Iñiguez (1839–1898), a leading figure in the Ten Years’ War and later independence struggles against Spain. His image on one of the highest denominations of the series underlines his status as a national hero in the young republic.

Notes of this design disappeared from circulation after Cuba’s post-1959 monetary reforms, making well-preserved, certified examples appealing artifacts of the First Republic period.

Design & Features

Obverse

Central oval portrait of Calixto García Iñiguez, framed by laurel branches and scrollwork.
Large arched title “BANCO NACIONAL DE CUBA” across the top border.
Denomination expressed multiple ways:
- Big “50” counters in all four corners
- Word “CINCUENTA” overprinted across the center
- Raised metallic-style “50 PESOS” at right.
Bright red star seal of the Banco Nacional at left and matching red serials at lower left and upper right.
Lower panel with legal-tender and convertibility text, stating that the note is guaranteed by gold, foreign exchange, and other assets of the central bank and is an obligation of the Cuban state.

The combination of black frame, yellow center, and red overprints gives the note strong eye appeal, enhanced by the crisp detail typical of ABNC work.

Reverse

Printed in rich orange-yellow ink.
Central coat of arms of the Republic of Cuba in a circular frame, radiating lines and guilloche patterns around it.
Large script “CINCUENTA PESOS” flanked by ornate scrolls, with “50” counters in each corner.
Banner “REPUBLICA DE CUBA” along the top and the legal clause repeating along the bottom margin.

The reverse’s bold color and scrolling ornamentation make this one of the most visually striking Cuban high-value notes of the 1950s.

Remarkable Denomination

At 50 Pesos, this was a high-value banknote in 1950s Cuba—used for wages, savings, and larger commercial payments at a time when the peso held substantial purchasing power. Today, the note’s face value is purely historical; its real interest lies in its artistry, political context, and relative scarcity in Gem-grade holders.

Collector’s Value

For collectors of Cuban or Latin American paper money, this note brings together:

A high-denomination pre-revolution type with a key independence hero.
Classic mid-century engraving from the American Bank Note Company.
The reliable third-party certification of PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, ideal for type sets or registry collections.

Whether you’re building a Cuba type set, focusing on ABNC-printed banknotes, or simply want a standout vintage design with strong eye appeal, this 1950 50 Pesos PMG 65 EPQ is an excellent centerpiece.

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