Commemorative medal, Yate Granma / anchor — Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria (CPEN/MGR), Cuba

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

Commemorative medal, "Yate Granma" / anchor — Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria (CPEN/MGR), Cuba

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.160

Description

A round silver-colored metal commemorative medal, struck in relief on both faces, with no denomination. The obverse depicts the yacht Granma underway at sea, encircled by "REPUBLICA DE CUBA" (above) and "YATE GRANMA" (below), with small dot ornaments at the sides. The reverse bears a large central anchor, with "CPEN" (above) and "MGR" (below), each flanked by ring/dot ornaments. Size of a large coin/medal; surfaces show toning, tarnish, and handling wear.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Made/Created

Notes

Maker: Issued in association with the Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria (MGR), Cuba's Revolutionary Navy (part of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias). The minting body/manufacturer is not indicated on the piece. Date: Undetermined.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

Obverse: "REPUBLICA DE CUBA"; "YATE GRANMA"; relief of the yacht Granma; dot ornaments. Reverse: "CPEN" (above); "MGR" (below); central anchor; ring/dot ornaments.

Materials

Material

Metal

Material Notes

Materials: Silver-colored metal (likely a base-metal alloy such as nickel/cupronickel or aluminum — composition not confirmed). Technique: Die-struck metal token with relief obverse and reverse.

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Relationships

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

preservation

Research Notes

Notes

"MGR" is confirmed as the Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria; the Granma yacht is its foundational symbol. "CPEN" is tentatively expanded (per the donor) as "Centro de Preparación de Especialistas Navales" — a plausible naval-training designation that does appear in Cuban naval biographies (e.g., training at a Centro de Preparación de Especialistas Navales of the Soviet Baltic Fleet), but a Cuban MGR center of that name as the issuer here is not confirmed.

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

April 21, 2026

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 18, 2026