1 Peso Encounter with Natives

Issued as part of Cuba's broad commemorative program of the late 1980s and early 1990s, this piece marks the quincentennial lead-up to 1992 — the 500th anniversary of Columbus's first landfall in the Caribbean. Cuba produced an extensive series of collector coins during this period, many struck in both base metal and silver, targeting the international numismatic market at a time when hard currency was acutely scarce on the island. The copper-nickel version circulated in name only; virtually the entire output was exported through state agencies.