Havana City, a heavily fortified city,  was captured by English forces in 1762. Havana had been considered inexpuganable up until 1762 and it took close to 14,000 British troops to conquer Havana. El Morro Castle, one of the three main forts, held out for 44 days. Its defense was led by Luis Vicente de Velasco y Fernandez de Isla (1711-1762), a gifted man with plenty of previous military experience. At his side, Vicente Gonzalez y Bassecourt helped resist the enemy attack leading three companies of troops. Both brave men were killed during the defense of El Morro Castle.

To honor their courage and bravery, a nice medal was struck that bears the bust of both men on the obverse and an engraving of El Morro Castle during the English invasion on the reverse.

Obverse legend: LVDOVICO DE VELASCO ET VINCENTIO GONZALEZ. Signed by PRIETO.

Reverse legend: IN MORRO VIT GLOR FVNCT /ARTIVM ACADEMIA CAROLO REGE CATHOL ANNVENTE CONS. A. MDCCLXIII. (To the Memory of those who died gloriously at Morro Castle / The Academy of Arts dedicates this medal with the consent of the Catholic King Charles III, in the year 1763)

A nice example of this medal sold for $1,281 on eBay on February 18, 2008 after 27 bids by 15 different bidders. Another piece, not nearly as nice, is currently on sale  for $2,500, Buy-Now (as of February 18, 2008).

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1958 1C Cent Struck on Cuba 1 Cent Planchet–Edge Damaged–ANACS. AU Details. A well struck near-Mint example. Pale silver-gray in color with hints of tan patina throughout the legends and outlining the devices. An undoubtedly very rare wrong planchet combination. Sold for $488.75 at the 2006 January Orlando, FL (FUN) Signature Auction #394, Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Jan 6, 2006.

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1958 1C Lincoln Cent Struck on Type One Cuba Cent Planchet–MS64 NGC. 2.5 grains. A lustrous and well struck near-Gem. Pale silver-gray in color with hints of tan patina throughout the legends and outlining the devices. An undoubtedly very rare wrong planchet combination. Sold for $920 at the 2004 August Pittsburgh, PA Signature Sale #352, Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Aug 20, 2004.

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Sold for $891 at the The Dr. Robert W. Swan and Rod Sweet Collections, Bowers and Merena Auction # 11741, 3/13/2004.

Boldly struck on both sides although the planchet used appears to be slightly smaller in diameter than the usual bronze issue. Lustrous and very clean with no surface marks.

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Sold at the The November 2007 Baltimore Auction Session Two. Bowers and Merena Auction # 13060 - 11/16/2007.

Both sides are sharply impressed and lustrous. There are no detracting carbon spots or abrasions and most of the design elements have made their way onto the planchet. There is evidence of an almost complete date on the reverse (from a flipover double strike?) just above the O in ONE.

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