In the center Cuban coat of arms within a laurel wreath. In the ring the country name with the denomination in letters.

The Cuban coat of arms consists of a shield, in front of a Fasces crowned by the Phrygian Cap, all supported by an oak branch on one side and a laurel wreath on the other. The coat of arms was created by Miguel Teurbe Tolón and was adopted on April 24, 1906.

The shield is divided into three parts: In the chief, a key charging a sea between two rocks, symbolizing Cuba’s geographical position between Florida and the Yucatán Peninsula. A bright rising sun in the background symbolizes the rising of the new republic. A key is a symbol of Cuba as Cuba is the key to the Americas. On the left are the stripes of the flag of Cuba but turned so as they are bendwise. On the right is a common Cuban landscape, Royal Palm tree, a symbol of Cuba with mountains in the background.

In the center are in relief the effigy of Antonio Maceo Grajales and the denomination. In the ring the motto "Homeland or Death" with the year of issue below.

Lt. General José Antonio de la Caridad Maceo y Grajales (1845–1896) was second-in-command of the Cuban Army of Independence. Men under Maceo's command began to name him “The Bronze Titan”, because of his exceptional physical strength and resistance to bullet or blade injuries. He recovered from more than 25 war injuries over the course of some 500 military battles, and none of Maceo's wounds diminished his willingness to lead his troops into combat. Spaniards referred to Maceo as the "Greater Lion" (El Leon mayor). Maceo was one of the most noteworthy guerrilla leaders in 19th century Latin America, comparable to José Antonio Páez of Venezuela in military acumen. In addition to his role as a soldier and statesman in the Cuban movement for independence, Maceo was an influential political strategist and military planner.