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50 Pesos Bee Hummingbird
| Issuer | Banco Nacional de Cuba |
|---|---|
| Year | 1999 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 50 Pesos (50 CUP) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A Bee Hummingbird (Zunzuncito, Mellisuga helenae), the world's smallest bird and endemic to Cuba, is depicted in dynamic flight as it feeds from a flower blossom. The bird's fine feathering and delicate proportions are rendered with naturalistic detail. The legend 'ZUNZUNCITO' is inscribed across the upper field flanked by decorative stars, while the weight '1/2 ONZA' and fineness 'AU 0.999' appear on either side. The date '1999' is positioned in the lower exergue. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | * * * Zunzuncito * * * 1/2 ONZA • 1999 • AU 0.999 (Translation: Zunzuncito (Bee Hummingbird) 1/2 ounce 1999 gold .999) |
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| Additional information |
Cuba's Bee Hummingbird series drew international collector attention precisely because the species — Mellisuga helenae — is endemic to Cuba and holds the distinction of being the world's smallest bird. The 1999 issue was part of a broader Cuban program of gold and silver wildlife coins produced largely for the export collector market, as domestic hard currency circulation was effectively nonexistent during the prolonged economic contraction following Soviet subsidy withdrawal in 1991.
KM#704 was struck in limited quantities at the Casa de la Moneda and distributed almost exclusively through foreign numismatic dealers.