Cuba Cincuentenario Medal

Anthony de Francisci, Cuba Cincuentenario Medal, 1952, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Gilda Slate, 1966.110.59
Copied Anthony de Francisci, Cuba Cincuentenario Medal, 1952, bronze, 1 3⁄4 in. (4.5 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Gilda Slate, 1966.110.59

Artwork Details

Title
Cuba Cincuentenario Medal
Artist
Date
1952
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
1 3⁄4 in. (4.5 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Gilda Slate
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Keywords
  • Figure group
  • Cityscape — Cuba
  • History — Cuba — Independence, 50th Anniversary
  • Object — other — flag
  • Architecture Exterior — civic — tower
Object Number
1966.110.59
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.110.59

Artwork Description

This medal marks the fiftieth anniversary of Cuba’s declaration of independence from the United States on May 20, 1902. The prominent Cuban flag waves over the Castillo el Morro in Havana Bay as a testament to this freedom, which in fact was conditional. The Platt Amendment, adopted on May 22, 1903, allowed the United States to maintain naval bases in Cuba and prohibited the island nation from entering into any treaty that might threaten its independence. The amendment was repealed in 1934.