The New 10,000 Cuban Pesos 2026 Banknote: A Tribute to Haydée Santamaría

On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the Central Bank of Cuba (BCC) put into circulation the 10,000 Cuban pesos (CUP) banknote, featuring the effigy of the revolutionary Haydée Santamaría Cuadrado. This is the third high-denomination banknote introduced by the BCC in 2026, following the 2,000 and 5,000 pesos banknotes issued in March. According to the official statement, it responds to the need to continue meeting the current demand for cash and the ongoing update of the Cuban monetary system. RESERVE IT HERE.

If you are looking for the new 10,000 Cuban pesos 2026 banknote in UNC (uncirculated) condition for your collection or investment, Iberoamericana Banknotes offers authentic, verified specimens with certification and secure international shipping. This article details everything you need to know.

Context: Third Phase of the Cuban Monetary System Update

The issuance of this banknote is part of the same process that already led, in March 2026, to the introduction of the 2,000 and 5,000 pesos banknotes, the first in Cuban history to feature portraits of patriotic women. According to the BCC's official statement, this new issue "responds to the need to continue meeting the current demand for cash and the ongoing update of the country's monetary system," with the same objectives as previous issues: facilitating cash transactions, reducing logistics costs associated with handling physical money, and gaining operational agility in the current inflationary context.

The BCC itself has expressly clarified that the incorporation of these new high denominations does not imply any change or substitution in the current monetary system: all banknote denominations currently in circulation remain fully valid. The new issue will begin to circulate in Havana through bank branches, gradually extending to the rest of the country.

Haydée Santamaría: Combatant in All Phases of the Revolution

Haydée Santamaría Cuadrado (1922-1980) was a Cuban revolutionary and politician, considered one of the heroines of the Revolution. She participated in the assault on the Moncada Barracks on July 26, 1953, for which she was imprisoned along with Melba Hernández. She was a founding member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and one of the first women to join its leadership, remaining in leadership positions throughout her life. She is one of the few figures who participated in all phases of the Cuban Revolution, from its beginnings to its consolidation.

Banknote Design: Continuity with the March Series

According to the BCC's official statement, the 10,000 pesos banknote maintains a similar design to the 2,000 and 5,000 pesos banknotes put into circulation in March, continuing the tribute to prominent Cuban heroines.

Obverse:

• Predominant colors: grey and green.
• Effigy of Haydée Santamaría Cuadrado in the central area, with intaglio printing.
• Legend "Banco Central de Cuba" in the upper left.
• Acronym "BCC" in the upper center, with the signature of the President of the Central Bank of Cuba below.
• Bank logo and denomination in letters in the lower right corner, accompanied by a white intaglio element, perceptible to the touch.
• Identifying elements for visually impaired persons, in the upper right corner, below the denomination.
• National Flower of Cuba "La Mariposa" (the butterfly jasmine), with an iridescent movement effect when the viewing angle is changed.

Reverse:

• Legend "REPÚBLICA DE CUBA" in the upper central area.
• Representation of the Casa de las Américas, a venue for Latin American literary concerts for 66 years, as the central cultural and historical motif.
• Serial number, composed of three letters and a two-digit number, located in the upper left (below the denomination) and in the lower right (above the denomination).
• Six-digit numbering in the upper left and right areas of the banknote.
• Central Bank of Cuba logo and year of manufacture in the lower left corner.

Security Features

The 10,000 pesos banknote incorporates the same security features as the rest of the new Cuban banknote family of 2026:

• Substrate: security banknote paper, manufactured according to international standards, with dimensions of 150 x 70 mm.
• Watermark: reproduces the effigy of Haydée Santamaría, accompanied by an electrotype with the banknote's denomination.
• Security thread: vertically located on the right side of the obverse, with a movement effect, showing the acronym "BCC" and the denomination "10000".
• National Flower "La Mariposa": present on the obverse and reverse, with an iridescent movement effect.
• Colorless intaglio element: perceptible to the touch, next to the Bank's logo.

Technical Sheet

For the most demanding collectors: the official BCC statement has not publicly detailed the exact print run or the printing house responsible for manufacturing this banknote. The complete technical data, including the official banknote sheet, can be consulted directly on the Central Bank of Cuba's page dedicated to this denomination. As soon as we have more verified data (print run, specific serial prefixes, printing house), we will update this article.

Numismatic and Collectible Value

Several factors make this piece one of the most relevant in Cuban numismatics of 2026:

1. Continuity of a historical series — It joins the 2,000 and 5,000 pesos banknotes as part of the same family honoring patriotic Cuban women, the first of its kind in the country's history.
2. Documented economic context — Like its predecessors, this banknote is a direct numismatic testimony of a specific moment in Cuban monetary history, marked by sustained inflation.
3. New highest denomination in regular circulation — Along with the 20,000 pesos banknote issued on the same day, it becomes one of the highest denominations ever put into regular circulation in Cuba.
4. Full legal tender — The banknote circulates normally alongside all other current denominations.

At Iberoamericana Banknotes, you will find specimens of the new 10,000 Cuban pesos 2026 UNC banknote, individually packaged, with detailed photos of the obverse, reverse, and security elements.

Why is it Important for Collectors?

• It continues the historical series of Cuban banknotes dedicated to patriotic women, which began in March 2026.
• Unique cultural motif on the reverse: the Casa de las Américas, a reference literary institution in Latin America.
• It pairs with the new 20,000 Cuban pesos 2026 banknote, issued on the same day.
• It joins the already available 2,000 and 5,000 Cuban pesos 2026 banknotes, completing a thematic collection of four banknotes featuring patriotic Cuban women.

Why Buy the New 10,000 Pesos Banknote from Iberoamericana Banknotes?

• Guaranteed authenticity.
• Competitive prices and attractive packages.
• Secure and discreet international shipping.
• Specialized support for collectors.
• Constant updates on new Cuban issues.

Explore our section of Cuban banknotes and acquire your specimen of the new 10,000 pesos banknote today. Don't miss out on this piece that pays homage to one of the great heroines of the Cuban Revolution!