| Description: |
Complete 1915 Proof Set of six pieces, each denomination with head of Jose Marti to right
on the obverse, PATRIA Y LIBERTAD and date around. Reverse with arms of Cuba at center,
REPUBLICA DE CUBA and DIEZ PESOS around. * 20 pesos. Fr-2. PR-64 (NGC). 33.45 grams, 34.1
mm. Edge device CON TODOS Y PARA TODOS (With all and for all) and 6 stars. Surfaces bright
yellow gold and brilliant Proof, with deeply reflective fields and sharp, satiny devices.
A few trivial hairlines can be seen upon close examination, accounting for the grade, but
these are scarcely visible to the unaided eye, widely spread out, and of little
consequence on this very rare issue. While the original mintage is unknown, it is believed
that between two and three dozen were struck. It is likely that the present specimen is
among the finest survivors today * 10 pesos. Fr-3. PR-63 (NGC). 16.71 grams, 26.80 mm.
Edge device CON TODOS Y PARA TODOS (With all and for all) and 6 stars. Brilliant yellow
gold Proof surfaces. Deeply mirrored fields surround sharp, satiny devices. Evidence of a
minor planchet flaw is seen in the left obverse field upon careful study, as this feature
was not completely struck out of the planchet. Otherwise, the surfaces are nearly pristine
save for a few scattered fine hairlines from handling. Another very rare issue, not likely
exceeding the number of 20 peso coins struck * 5 pesos. Fr-4. PR-65 (NGC). 8.36 grams,
21.50 mm. Reeded edge. Deeply mirrored fields, and sharp satiny devices, struck in rich
yellow gold. Traces of rose and pale blue toning accents are noted. A fine patch of
hairlines is noted in the left obverse field, while the reverse is nearly pristine. A
little less rare than the higher denominations, but mintage estimates are around 100
examples making this a worthwhile rarity in its own right * 4 pesos. Fr-5. PR-64 (NGC).
6.68 grams, 18.90 mm. Reeded edge. Rich yellow gold brilliant Proof surfaces, fields
deeply mirrored and devices sharp and frosted. Some minor hairlines are noted, but the
overall aesthetic quality is excellent. Only 100 pieces estimated to have been struck * 2
pesos. Fr-6. PR-65 (NGC). 3.33 grams, 16.50 mm. Reeded edge. Brilliant Proof in rich
yellow gold. Reflective surfaces, though not nearly as so as on the larger denominations,
the obverse in particular having a rather lustrous appearance. The reverse fields,
however, are nicely reflective. Partial wire rims on both sides. Minor handling marks. One
of 100 pieces struck * 1 peso. Fr-7. PR-66 (NGC). 1.68 grams, 14.60 mm. Deep yellow gold,
with brilliant and reflective Proof fields and satiny devices. Tiny lintmarks are noted on
the reverse, as made. A beautiful gem, one of 140 pieces struck. A lovely set of
well-matched coins, not only for aesthetic aspects, but also for the preservation of the
invidual coins. Considering that the pedigree includes John H. Clapp, a Washington D.C.
collector who is known to have purchased many coins for his collection directly from the
United States Mint at Philadelphia (where the 1915 Cuban Proof sets were also produced,
engraved by Charles Barber) it is quite likely that this set was purchased complete and
kept together since that time. An important numismatic property, well-pedigreed and highly
desirable. (Total: 6 pieces) ($25,000-40,000)The 1915 Annual Report of the Director of the
United States Mint specifically records the "Act, approved October 26, 1914, for the
coinage of Cuban currency." Article VII of this act relates to gold coins
specifically, including these Proof issues (though without special mention) and reads in
full, "Gold coins of 5, 10, 20, pesos shall be of the same shape, weight, and value
as the corresponding coins of the United States of America, and those of 4, 2, and 1 peso
shall be proportionate to the above in size and weight." Article IV of the same act
outlines the standards of fineness for the Cuban issues, reading in part, "For gold
coin: 900/1000 pure metal, with a tolerance of 1/1000 both as to weight and
fineness." As such, the Cuban 20 peso, 10 peso, and 5 peso coins correspond exactly
to the specifications for the standard United States double eagles, eagles, and half
eagles then in production.All from the John H. Clapp Collection; Clapp estate to Louis E.
Eliasberg, Sr., 1942.
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