 Republic in Arms, 1868-1877, Provisional Coinage. Peso, 1870 P CT. Copper, RE. REPUBLICA DE CUBA, Arms of Republic in banners, shield showing the engraver's error which placed a Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) in place of the Royal Palm (Roystonia regia) intended for the nation's emblem. Rv. Value UN/ PESO in oak and laurel, MONEDA PROVISIONAL around, .P. 1870 C.T. below. Needle-sharp strike with squared edges, boldly mint red and mirror-reflective fields, a single pinpoint freckle on either sided ''hallmark'' this historic piece. Essentially a Gem, one of 40 believed struck, of which perhaps fewer than 20 survive. Here is a coin combining great historical significance, outstanding rarity, exceptional beauty and a extraordinary pedigree. See Thomas Lismore, The Coinage of Cuba, 1870-1953, page 57-58; Catalogo Billetes y Monedas de Cuba, Museo Numismatico de Cuba, no. 159. KM Pn5a. Very Choice Brilliant Proof. NGC PF63RD PITTMAN. (Est. $3,500-$4,500)
Ex John J. Pittman Collection (David W. Akers, August 1999, lot 3492), previously ex Hans M.F. Schulman (November 1964 Sale, lot 2035).
John J. Pittman studied the .P. C.T. inscription for decades. Like Lismore, he tentatively interpreted these letters as POTOSí, Clemente Toretti: Potosí, Bolivia Mint and contract engraver Toretti, known to have created the MONEDA EMITIDA EN LA PAZ Patterns of 1868 with the same C.T.
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