10 Pesos Solenodon Cubano

The Cuban solenodon (*Solenodon cubanus*) was believed extinct for much of the 20th century until a live specimen was captured in 1974, making it one of the more dramatic rediscoveries in Caribbean zoology. Cuba's wildlife conservation coinage of the 2000s emerged partly in response to ongoing IUCN pressure regarding endemic species — the solenodon, a venomous insectivore whose lineage predates the dinosaur extinction, was a logical subject. Mintages for this series were consistently low, with distribution handled almost entirely through foreign numismatic agencies given Cuba's restricted trade position.