1950 Cuba 50 Pesos Banco Nacional PMG 66 EPQ Gem UNC Pick 81a Calixto García

1950 Cuba 50 Pesos Banco Nacional PMG 66 EPQ Gem UNC Pick 81a Calixto García

Up for sale is a beautifully preserved 1950 Cuba 50 Pesos note issued by the Banco Nacional de Cuba, certified PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality).

This type is cataloged as Pick 81a and features the distinguished portrait of Calixto García Iñiguez, one of Cuba’s great independence generals. The note was printed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC) and bears red serial numbers, identifying it as an early 1950 issue.

Authenticity & Technical Details

• Country: Cuba

• Issuer: Banco Nacional de Cuba

• Series / Date: Serie de 1950

• Denomination: 50 Pesos (Cincuenta Pesos)

• Catalog reference: Pick 81a / SCWPM 81a

• Printer: American Bank Note Company (ABNC) – noted at bottom center on both sides

• Serial numbers: Red (distinctive for 1950 & 1958 printings; 1960 series uses black)

• Size: approx. 157 × 66 mm, standard large-size Cuban format

• Grade: PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ – a high Gem grade with fully original paper, color, and embossing

The PMG holder guarantees authenticity and originality, with the coveted EPQ designation confirming that the paper is free from pressing or other alterations.

Historical Significance

This note comes from the period of the First Republic of Cuba (1902–1959), just nine years before the revolution. At the time, the Cuban peso (CUP) circulated at or near parity with the U.S. dollar, and banknotes were explicitly backed by gold and foreign exchange reserves of the Banco Nacional.

The portrait shows General Calixto García Iñiguez (1839–1898), a major figure in the Ten Years’ War and later independence struggles. Wounded many times and eventually dying in Washington, D.C., while seeking support for Cuban independence, García became a symbol of sacrifice and patriotism, making his appearance on the high-value 50-peso note especially fitting.

As with other pre-revolution issues, this series was demonetized in 1961 when the post-revolution government reformed the monetary system, so surviving high-grade examples are strictly collectors’ items today.

Design & Features

Obverse

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

• Large, arched title “BANCO NACIONAL DE CUBA” across the top border.

• Denomination “50 PESOS / CINCUENTA” in bold lettering:

  • Big “50” counters in each corner

  • Text CINCUENTA overprinted in black atop the yellow field

  • Raised metallic-style “50 PESOS” at right, giving a pseudo-embossed look

• Brilliant red star seal of the Banco Nacional at left and matching red serial numbers left and right, adding strong visual contrast to the subdued yellow-black underprint.

• Legal-tender and convertibility guarantee text across the bottom margin, stating that the note is fully backed by gold, foreign exchange, and other assets, and constitutes an obligation of the Cuban state.

Reverse

• Printed in rich orange-yellow with ornate scroll panels.

• Large central legend “CINCUENTA PESOS” flanked by “50” counters at each corner.

• The coat of arms of the Republic of Cuba within a circular frame at center, radiating lines giving a sense of depth and prestige.

• Top banner “REPUBLICA DE CUBA” and bottom text repeating the legal-tender clause, all resting on finely detailed guilloche patterns.

ABNC’s craftsmanship is obvious in the delicate border work and micro-engraving, making this note both historically important and visually impressive.

Remarkable Denomination

At 50 pesos, this was a high-value banknote in 1950s Cuba. In an economy where lower denominations like 1 or 5 pesos handled most routine purchases, a 50-peso note often represented wages, savings, or large commercial payments—especially considering the peso’s strong external value at the time.

That former purchasing power stands in stark contrast to today, where the note survives purely as a collectible artifact of Cuba’s pre-1960 monetary system.

Catalog Numbers

• Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Pick 81a – 50 Pesos, red serial number, 1950 issue

• Also described in some dealers’ lists as “Cuba 1950 50 Pesos Banco Nacional, Calixto García Iñiguez, ABNC”

Including the Pick reference in your listing helps catalog-driven collectors quickly recognize the exact type they’re bidding on.

Collector’s Value

For collectors of Cuban paper money or Latin American ABNC issues, this note offers a compelling combination of:

• High face value type from the pre-revolution era

• Classic engraving featuring a major independence hero

• Attractive color contrast with red serials and seal

• A premium third-party grade of PMG 66 Gem Unc EPQ, ideal for high-end type sets and registry collections

If you’re building a Cuba type set, a Caribbean paper-money portfolio, or simply appreciate beautifully engraved mid-century banknotes, this 1950 50 Pesos PMG 66 EPQ will be a standout showpiece.