50 pesos 1958

Common. The eBay market data provided shows multiple recent sales in the $6–$30 range across various grades (VF, EF, AUNC, UNC), with catalog values at UNC listing $30 as of 2016. The consistent appearance of this note in regular auction and online sales channels, combined with moderate price points typical of common Cuban banknotes, indicates a substantial print run with healthy survivor population. No evidence of rarity factors such as short print runs, early recall, or exceptional scarcity in the Pick catalog data.

Issued in 1958 by the Banco Nacional de Cuba during the final year of Fulgencio Batista's regime, this note represents a transitional period in Cuban history just months before the 1959 revolution. The depiction of Calixto García Iñiguez, a 19th-century Cuban independence hero and general, reflects Cuba's emphasis on national patriotic symbolism and historical continuity. The note's guarantee clause—referencing gold backing and the obligation of the Cuban State—illustrates the monetary confidence and economic frameworks that would soon be drastically altered by the revolutionary government.

The obverse features a centered portrait of Calixto García Iñiguez, the distinguished 19th-century Cuban general and independence leader, depicted in formal attire with suit and bow tie, enclosed within an ornate circular frame adorned with laurel wreaths symbolizing honor and achievement. The design employs a beige and tan palette with black engraving and red security stamps reading 'CINCUENTA' positioned on the left side. Ornamental corner designs with the denomination numeral 50 and baroque-style flourishes frame the composition. The reverse displays the Cuban national coat of arms—a shield featuring heraldic elements including a cross and palm tree representing Cuba's natural and spiritual heritage—centered within elaborate orange and peach-toned baroque scrollwork and decorative borders. Both sides bear the denomination 'CINCUENTA PESOS' in multiple locations and credit American Bank Note Company of New York as the printer.

FRONT: 'CINCUENTA PESOS' (Fifty Pesos); 'BANCO NACIONAL DE CUBA' (National Bank of Cuba); 'SERIE DE 1958' (Series of 1958); 'SANTO GARCIA IÑIGUEZ' (Calixto García Iñiguez); 'PRESIDENTE DEL BANCO' (President of the Bank); 'MINISTRO DE HACIENDA' (Minister of Finance); 'GARANTIZADO INTEGRAMENTE CON 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, convertible foreign exchange in gold and all other assets of the National Bank of Cuba. This note constitutes an obligation of the Cuban State.); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution). BACK: 'REPUBLICA DE CUBA' (Republic of Cuba); 'CINCUENTA PESOS' (Fifty Pesos); 'ESTE BILLETE TIENE CURSO LEGAL Y FUERZA LIBERATORIA ILIMITADA, DE ACUERDO CON LA LEY PARA EL PAGO DE TODA OBLIGACION CONTRAIDA A LA VISTA O AL PORTADOR NACIONAL.' (This note has legal tender status and unlimited liberatory force, in accordance with the law for the payment of all obligations contracted at sight or to the bearer at national level.); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution).

Intaglio (engraved) printing by the American Bank Note Company, New York. The visual evidence of fine line work, detailed portrait rendering, ornate baroque ornamentation, and the characteristic crisp, sharp impression throughout the note are hallmarks of intaglio production. The red security overprints and stamps were applied as a secondary process.

This specimen is identified as Pick P-81b, the 'b' variety designation indicating a specific variant within the 1958 50 Pesos issue. The serial number visible on this example reads 'B934605A' with a red print, consistent with standard varieties of this denomination. The visual analysis indicates this is the regular issue type from 1958 without noted overprints or exceptional identifying marks that would distinguish it as a rare or error variety. Collectors should note variations in serial number prefixes and printing dates within the 1958 series, though detailed variety catalogs would be required for precise sub-variety classification.