1738,
CUBA. Municipio de Bayamo. Real, ND (ca. 1738-56).
cf.Ulex-2454; cf.Eklund-1742. One of the first coinage issues of Cuba. Of tremendous historical importance. "MUNICIPIO - DE BAYAMO", octagon with "1R" inside; Reverse: Incuse of obverse. Bayamo is located adjacent to the then capital of Santiago. Bayamo was also the site of copper mining. The minting process must have been laborious, as there is evidence of an under struck smaller "1" below the larger "1" indicating each letter is an individual punch. A time consuming process which seems to indicate an acute shortage of coinage, but adequate supplies, time, and labor.
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