The first design type of Cuba's silver One Peso coin - the Star Peso - was struck in 1915 and 1916, as well as in 1932, 1933 and 1934; no One Peso coins were struck from 1917 through 1931. The coins were struck at the US Mint in Philadelphia on 0.900 fine silver planchets that matched those of the US silver dollar of the time (Morgan or Peace, depending on when struck) - 38.1 millimeter diameter and a weight of 26.7295 grams.
The obverse of the coin presents the Coat-of-Arms of Cuba. The design elements of the Arms are: Shield mounted on a fasces surmounted by a Phrygian cap (aka Liberty cap) with an oak branch to the left and laurel branch to the right.
The Shield has three sections, within the top segment is depicted a key above the sea with land formations on either side (representing North and South America) and a rising sun in the background. The view is meant to represent Cuba as the "Key of the New World" (connecting Europe and the Americas, as well as North America and South America). The rising sun was symbolic of Cuba as a new nation (the Arms were first adopted in 1906, Cuba became an independent Republic in 1902).
The lower portion of the Shield is divided into two sections. The alternating blue (3) and white (2) stripes on the left (viewer's perspective) are symbolic of Cuba's three original administrative Departments while a colony of Spain (circa 1827): (Occidental / Western, Central / Central and Oriental / Eastern (blue stripes) and the Cuban liberators (white stripes).
The right segment of the lower shield presents the Royal Palm, the National Tree of Cuba. Behind the tree are mountains. The design is meant to be symbolic of the strength of character of Cuba's people.
The five-pointed star found on the Peso's reverse - La Estrella Solitaria (the "Lonely Star") - represents freedom and independence. The star is also a dominant element of Cuba's "Lone Star" national flag.
Posted 12/06/2022 12:16 pm
