Cuba. Che Guevara Signed and Dedicated 50 Peso Banknote - 1960. (Sans Prix de Réserve)

An extremely rare Cuban fifty peso banknote, signed and dedicated to the reverse by Che Guevara, head of the National Bank of Cuba, March 1960. The last of 3 Che-signed banknotes I had in my collection and the only one with no crease in the centre. The final word on the first line is a mystery.

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.

Ramon:
Antes de que me des algunas, ?
elijo el sabio método de Dios, al pueblo
lo que es del pueblo, y a Dios lo que
es de Dios.
23 de Marzo/1960
Che

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

Ramon:
Before you give me some, ?
I choose the wise method of God, to the people
what belongs to the people, and to God what
belongs to God.
March 23, 1960
Che