First, begin by coming up with a note, or variety thereof not already listed. This will undoubtedly be easier through early detection and submission of series just issued. But in my case, when I got an emailed offer from Hans in the Netherlands, speaking of a 1876 variety which has been listed as reported but not confirmed since I began collecting Cuba how was I to refuse?

How does one then go on to verify a variety which for all intensive purposes doesn't exist? Not being fully satisfied with my own impressions I sought out the eye of several others who are well versed in the early paper and it's characteristics. And this is a paper five centravos, fractional as would be the term for the U.S. and Canadan paper change of the period.

I met Joel Shaffer (whose father, Neil, currently does cataloging for the Standard Catalog) at a small Lyn Knight show in St. Pete., Florida late or early 2002. And taking me for either an impassioned collector or insane, asked if I had anything tucked away for the catalog. And I mentioned the five-centavos that was a fairly recent acquisition at the time. I met with both Shafers last year at the Memphis show and showed the specimen to Neil, Including my P29a,b, and d for comparison. Following this I emailed enlarged scans of both the note solo and the four types pictured together for further analysis of all responsible for the catalogs content. And last June 23rd, my birthday oddly enough, I received an email announcing that my five-centavo specimen was the confirmation note!

So what distinguishes this type as different from any of the three other varieties of P29? Well it all has to do with the blank space seen in the upper left hand corner of the bill, just to the left of the Spanish crown. P29a, 1 de Julio 1972, the first of the series has the same unused space. Whereas P29b 15 de Mayo 1876 (to which this note most closely relates) and P29d, 6 de Augosto 1883 both have different varieties of an American Bank Note Company monogram in this space. All types are attributed to and sporting the National Bank Note Company (also of Nueva York USA) moniker on the reverse. ABNC took over NBNC in the late 1870's (one resource placed this as 1879) which would account for the new monogram applied to notes produced from pre-existing plates as both the companies apparently collaborated prior to the takeover.

Anomalies exist in each of several series of Cuban fractionals, but the 1876 note top the bill. The 10-centavos note mirror the five issued, but for both with and without monogram having been previously confirmed and neither showing as a greater rarity by catalog pricing. And a 25-centavos exists for the date as well, but remains listed as reported but not confirmed, perhaps there remains two varieties of this awaiting confirmation.

Courtesy: Frank Paltrow, President C.N.A.