NGC Registry Featured Set: Cuba Souvenir Pesos

What do the Dunn Air-Brake Company in Pennsylvania and Gorham Silver Manufacturers in Rhode Island have in common? Why, Cuban coins, of course!

How can this be, you may wonder? Gorham Silver is most often known for its lovely sterling silver tableware and jewelry. How would a company that manufactures air brakes be involved in numismatics, as well? In 1897, in an effort to raise funds for their cause, the Cuban Revolutionary party in New York City decided to produce “Souvenir” peso coins. Gorham Silver produced the dies and the polished flans, and the Dunn Air-Brake company struck them. The original order was for 1,000 coins, but in 1898, Gorham was contracted to mint an additional 1,000 UN PESOS. At the time, the going price for these Souvenir pesos was $1.

These unique and historic Cuban coins are featured for the first time in an NGC Registry set, Cuba: Contribution Issues, 1897-1898, Complete by EMO Collection. A huge shout-out to EMO Collection for his shared enthusiasm and expertise; his knowledge and resources were key in establishing the first competitive registry set of its kind.

Thank you, EMO Collection for helping us keep the NGC Registry the most interesting and vibrant coin collection showcase for collectors from all around the world! We look forward to your future updates in this set and others!

The NGC Registry is a free online platform where collectors register and display their certified coins and can compete against other collectors around the world for recognition and prizes. This popular resource now boasts nearly 17,000 users, 150,000+ registered sets and 1.2 million registered coins. In 2020, the NGC Registry will award more than $25,000 in prizes — a 25% increase over last year! To learn more about the prizes, click here.

Would you like your set to be chosen for a future feature article? 100% completion in a set type is not always feasible. Our team will also feature sets with thoughtful comments and images for all their coins. Perhaps we will choose someone whose set has a personal story behind it or some interesting historical facts. We are looking for those sets where someone has taken the time to make the set unique and a reflection of his/her personal collecting style. It may be your set! Stay tuned.

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References:

• Unusual World Coins, 6th edition by George S. Cuhaj, Krause Publications
• Coin World article, July 07, 2014