1 peso 1964 specimen

Common. Based on eBay market data showing regular sales of this denomination in various conditions (EF examples at $10.50-$23.50, with catalogue values of $17 for UNC as of 2019), this is a readily available note. The 1961-1965 series was a standard production run of the Banco Nacional de Cuba with no known significant supply constraints or recall. Specimen notes of this type are institutional items that were produced in reasonable quantities for banking and numismatic purposes.

Issued in 1964, this note commemorates a pivotal moment in Cuban history: Castro's revolutionary forces entering Havana on January 8, 1959, ending the Batista regime. The obverse portrait of José Martí (1853-1895), the Cuban independence hero and intellectual father of Cuban nationalism, connects the 19th-century independence struggle to the 20th-century revolution. The inscription 'Patria o Muerte' (Homeland or Death) and 'Cuba Territorio Libre de América' (Cuba Free Territory of America) reflect the ideological messaging of the post-revolutionary Banco Nacional de Cuba under Castro's government.

The obverse features a formal oval-framed portrait of José Martí, the 19th-century Cuban patriot and poet, depicted with characteristic beard and period formal collar. The portrait is centered on a cream/beige field with dark green ornamental borders and guilloche patterns. The denomination '1' appears in all four corners. The reverse presents an allegorical engraving depicting multiple revolutionary figures with raised arms in celebratory poses, commemorating the triumphant entry into Havana with urban buildings visible in the background. Both sides employ fine-line engraving technique with intricate background patterns and decorative borders. The specimen stamp in red diagonal letters across the obverse identifies this as an official non-circulating example distributed to banks and collectors.

OBVERSE: 'Banco Nacional de Cuba' (National Bank of Cuba), 'Un Peso' (One Peso), 'Cuba Territorio Libre de América' (Cuba Free Territory of America), 'Patria o Muerte' (Homeland or Death), 'Presidente del Banco' (President of the Bank), 'Ministro de Hacienda' (Minister of Finance), 'José Martí' (José Martí), 'Serie de 1964' (Series of 1964), 'Garantizado integramente con el oro, cambio extranjero convertible en oro y todos los demas activos del Banco Nacional de Cuba. Este billete constituye una obligacion del Estado Cubano.' (Fully guaranteed with gold, foreign exchange convertible into gold and all other assets of the National Bank of Cuba. This note constitutes an obligation of the Cuban State.) REVERSE: 'Un Peso' (One Peso), 'República de Cuba' (Republic of Cuba), 'Entrada a la Habana: 8 de Enero de 1959' (Entry to Havana: January 8, 1959), 'Este billete tiene curso legal y fuerza liberatoria ilimitada de acuerdo con la ley, para el pago de todo obligacion contraida o cumplir en el territorio nacional.' (This note has legal tender status and unlimited liberatory force in accordance with the law, for the payment of all obligations incurred or to be fulfilled in the national territory.)

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) throughout, evidenced by the fine detail, sharp line work, and complex guilloche patterns visible in the ornamental borders and background. The printer STC-P (without imprint) produced this note, as documented in standard references. Security features include fine-line engraving patterns, elaborate guilloche work, and intricate border designs typical of mid-20th-century Cuban currency production.

This is a specimen issue (P-94bs) as indicated by the red diagonal 'SPECIMEN' stamp applied to the obverse. The series marking reads 'Serie de 1964' on the obverse. Serial number visible as 'J 02' / '842719'. Standard signature titles appear: 'Presidente del Banco' and 'Ministro de Hacienda' without specific individual signatures visible in the specimen. No notable varieties in overprints or design modifications are evident beyond the standard specimen designation.