No. 83600125

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Cuba. Che Guevara Signed and Dedicated 20 Peso Banknote - 1960.  (No Reserve Price)
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€ 802
1 week ago

Cuba. Che Guevara Signed and Dedicated 20 Peso Banknote - 1960. (No Reserve Price)

An extremely rare Cuban twenty peso banknote, signed and dedicated to the reverse by Che Guevara, head of the National Bank of Cuba, June 1960. In late November, 1959, Fidel Castro appointed Che as head of the National Bank of Cuba. This, with the additional positions of Minister of Finance and Minister of Industries, placed Guevara at the zenith of his power as the ‘virtual czar’ of the Cuban economy. As a consequence of his position as head of the Central Bank, it was required, per custom, to have his signature appear on the front of all banknotes. Instead of using his full name, he signed the bills solely ‘Che’. It was through this symbolic act, which horrified many in the Cuban financial sector, that Guevara signalled his distaste for money and the class distinctions it brought about. Guevara's long time friend, Ricardo Rojo, later remarked that "the day he signed Che on the bills, (he) literally knocked the props from under the widespread belief that money was sacred." The banknote carries Che’s original signature and dedication, in ink, to the reverse, while the front of the bill carries his printed signature. This banknote has been in a Cuban philatelist’s collection for over 55 years. Text and translation follows. Es un trabajo gigantesco el que Fidel me ha dado, pero Cuba merece que sea, un mejor soldado 29 Mayo/1960 Che *************** It is a gigantic job that Fidel has given me, but Cuba deserves that I am a better soldier 29 May, 1960 Che

No. 83600125

Sold
Cuba. Che Guevara Signed and Dedicated 20 Peso Banknote - 1960.  (No Reserve Price)

Cuba. Che Guevara Signed and Dedicated 20 Peso Banknote - 1960. (No Reserve Price)

An extremely rare Cuban twenty peso banknote, signed and dedicated to the reverse by Che Guevara, head of the National Bank of Cuba, June 1960.

In late November, 1959, Fidel Castro appointed Che as head of the National Bank of Cuba. This, with the additional positions of Minister of Finance and Minister of Industries, placed Guevara at the zenith of his power as the ‘virtual czar’ of the Cuban economy. As a consequence of his position as head of the Central Bank, it was required, per custom, to have his signature appear on the front of all banknotes. Instead of using his full name, he signed the bills solely ‘Che’. It was through this symbolic act, which horrified many in the Cuban financial sector, that Guevara signalled his distaste for money and the class distinctions it brought about. Guevara's long time friend, Ricardo Rojo, later remarked that "the day he signed Che on the bills, (he) literally knocked the props from under the widespread belief that money was sacred."

The banknote carries Che’s original signature and dedication, in ink, to the reverse, while the front of the bill carries his printed signature. This banknote has been in a Cuban philatelist’s collection for over 55 years.

Text and translation follows.

Es un trabajo gigantesco el que Fidel
me ha dado, pero Cuba merece que
sea, un mejor soldado
29 Mayo/1960
Che

***************

It is a gigantic job that Fidel
has given me, but Cuba deserves that
I am a better soldier
29 May, 1960
Che

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