5 pesos 1964 specimen
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4 salesAbout This Note
This is a Cuban 5 Pesos specimen note from the 1964 series (Pick P-95bs), issued by the Banco Nacional de Cuba. The note features a portrait of Antonio Maceo in a central oval frame surrounded by intricate guilloche security patterns in teal and green coloring. As a specimen note marked with a red diagonal stamp, this UNC example represents an uncommonly preserved printing sample rather than a circulation note, making it a notable addition to any Cuba collection.
Common. Market data from eBay sales indicates specimens and circulated examples of this note typically sell in the $9.50–$28 range, with catalog values for UNC examples at approximately $19 (2019 pricing). The print run was substantial for its era, and specimens, while not as abundant as circulated notes, are regularly available on the numismatic market. No evidence of rarity characteristics such as a short-lived issuing period, recall, or extremely limited mintage.
Issued during the early years of the Castro regime, this 1964 specimen note commemorates the September-October 1958 invasion depicted on the reverse—a military campaign that preceded the Cuban Revolution's consolidation of power. The note's inscriptions, including 'PATRIA O MUERTE' (Homeland or Death) and 'CUBA TERRITORIO LIBRE DE AMERICA' (Cuba Free Territory of America), reflect the revolutionary government's messaging during this period. The reverse illustration of armed soldiers and cavalry in a tropical setting documents a pivotal moment in Cuba's modern military history.
The obverse features Antonio Maceo, the 19th-century Cuban independence general and national hero, portrayed in formal attire within a central oval frame flanked by decorative laurel wreaths. The design employs dull deep green on a pink underprint with extensive guilloche patterns and geometric borders as background security elements. Denomination numerals appear in the corners and at left and right in large text. The reverse depicts the historical invasion of September-October 1958, illustrated with armed soldiers, cavalry units, and military personnel engaged in movement across a tropical landscape with palm trees and colonial-era buildings. Corner ornaments display the denomination '5', and the composition emphasizes the military and revolutionary significance of the depicted event. Serial designation 'H 33' with number '053855' appears on the obverse.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE CUBA' (National Bank of Cuba); 'CINCO PESOS' (Five Pesos); 'SERIE DE 1964' (Series of 1964); 'CUBA TERRITORIO LIBRE DE AMERICA' (Cuba Free Territory of America); 'PATRIA O MUERTE' (Homeland or Death); 'PRESIDENTE DEL BANCO' (President of the Bank); 'MINISTRO DE HACIENDA' (Minister of Finance); '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 banknote constitutes an obligation of the Cuban State); 'SPECIMEN' (Specimen). BACK SIDE: 'REPUBLICA DE CUBA' (Republic of Cuba); 'CINCO PESOS' (Five Pesos); 'INVASION' (Invasion); 'SEPTIEMBRE - OCTUBRE DE 1958' (September - October 1958); 'ESTE BILLETE TIENE CURSO LEGAL Y FUERZA LIBERATORIA LIMITADA DE ACUERDO CON LA LEY PARA EL PAGO DE TODA OBLIGACION CONTRAIDA O A CUMPLIR EN EL TERRITORIO NACIONAL.' (This banknote has legal tender and limited liberatory force in accordance with the law for the payment of any obligation contracted or to be fulfilled in national territory).
This note was produced using fine line engraving and intaglio printing methods, characteristics evident from the crisp, detailed guilloche patterns, intricate line work throughout both sides, and the precise rendering of the portrait and historical scene. The printer is identified as STC-P (without imprint on the face). The specimen stamp was applied as a post-printing overprint in red ink to indicate this as a non-circulating sample.
This is a specimen note (indicated by the red 'SPECIMEN' overprint), representing the specimen variety P-95bs of Pick's catalog. The note bears serial designation 'H 33' with serial number '053855'. Specimen notes from this series are distinguishable from regular circulation notes by the specimen stamp and were produced for distribution to banks and official archives rather than for general circulation. No additional varieties are evident from the observed details, though signature variations may exist across the series (the signature titles are shown but specific signatory names are not legible in the provided images).
