Category: Series Sets
Owner: JAA USA/Philippines Collection
Last Modified: 1/1/2013
Set Description
United States coinage for the Philippine Islands is one of the most interesting and historically important series of U.S. coins. After the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American war of 1898, the Philippines, along with Puerto Rico, became United States possessions. Although regular U.S. coins and paper money were used in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, the economy of the Philippines was too poor to use the U.S. dollar. In 1902 a bill was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt authorizing a new and distinct coinage to be struck for use in the United States Territory of the Philippines. The "Peso" was established as the basic economic unit for the new coinage and paper money. The official valve for the Philippine Peso was established at 50 Cents U.S. This exchange rate remained constant from 1903 through 1946. In addition to the silver Peso minor silver coins were struck in Fifty Centavos, Twenty Centavos, and Ten Centavos and base medal coins were struck in Five Centavos, One Centavo, and Half Centavo denominations. The Philippines is the only U.S. possession for which a separate coinage was ever produced. U.S./Philippine coins were issued from 1903 through 1945. U.S./Philippine coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1908 and the San Francisco Mint from 1903 through 1919. In 1920 a United States Branch Mint was established in Manila. The Manila Mint produced all of the U.S./Philippine coinage from 1920 through 1941. The Manila Mint was the only United States branch mint ever established outside the continental limits of the United States. The Manila mint was destroyed during World War ll. 1944 and 1945 U.S./Philippine coins were struck at the Philadelphia, Denver or San Francisco Mints. Unlike other colonial powers the U.S. always had intentions of giving the Philippine Islands full independence once the basis for good government was established. In 1935 a Constitution for the Philippines was approved and the Philippines were granted Commonwealth status. On July 4th 1946 the Republic of the Philippines became a free and independent nation. The U.S. issued coins remained in use in the Philippines until the mid 60's.
Set Goals
This Custom Set is an expanded version of my Competive USA/Philippines Type Set. The primary difference between the two sets is that this set includes three additional slots to accommodate the 1928-M Twenty Centavos MULE and the Wartime Alloy One Centavo and Five Centavos coins. Another difference between the two sets is that several slots in this set have been upgraded to display coins with a higher technical grade and better eye appeal than their counterpart in my Competive Type Set. The upgraded coins include; Half Centavo 1908 (PR67 RB), One Centavo 1903 (PR66 Red), Five Centavos 1932-M (MS65), Ten Centavos 1906 (PR66), Ten Centavos 1907 (MS66), Ten Centavos 1941-M (MS66), and Fifty Centavos 1908 (PR64). The average grade of the coins in this set is MS/PF 65.13
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| Half Centavo
1903-1908
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UNITED STATES
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1908 USA-PHIL 1/2C
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PCGS PF 67 RB
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This beautiful rainbow toned SUPERB GEM is from the "Just Having Fun Collection". The 1908 Half Centavo is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of only 500. The Combined NGC/PCGS population for this rare date in PF67 is only three specimens with none graded finer.
Specifications: Bronze, 40 Grains (95% copper, 5% zinc and tin), 17.5 mm
The Half Centavo was designed by Melicio Figueroa. The obverse design shows a young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised, and in the background to his left is a billowing volcano. The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield.
Business strikes of the Half Centavo coin were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1903 (12,084,000) and 1904 (5,654,000). The Half Centavo coin was poorly accepted by the public and no further business strikes of this denomination were made after 1904. For lack of use over 7,500,000 Half Centavos were withdrawn from circulation. Most of these were sent back to the United States where they were melted and then re-coined into One Centavo pieces in 1908. That leaves a little less than 60% of the origional total mintage still available to collectors today.
A limited number of Proof Half Centavos were produced at the Philadelphia mint from 1903 through 1906 and again in 1908. The mintage figures for proof Half Centavos is as follows:1903 (2,558), 1904 (1,355), 1905 (471), 1906 (500), and 1908 (500). The 1905, 1906, and 1908 Half Centavos were PROOF ONLY ISSUES.
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 31090680 |
| Centavo
1903-1936 Territorial Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1904 USA-PHIL 1C
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NGC PF 67 RB
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Specifications: Bronze (95% copper, 5% zinc and tin), 80 Grains, 24mm.
The One Centavo was designed by Melicio Figueroa. The obverse design shows a young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised, and in the background to his left is a billowing volcano. The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield.
Business strikes using Figueroa's obverse and reverse designs were made at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1905, the San Francisco Mint from 1908 through 1920 and the Manila Mint from 1920 through 1936. The Manila mint was the only United States branch mint ever established outside the continental United States.
A limited number of proof One Centavos were produced at the Philadelphia mint from 1903 through 1906 and again in 1908.
The 1904 Proof One Centavo had a mintage of 1,355.
This beautiful SUPERB GEM PROOF is a TOP POP coin with a combined NCC/PCGS population of only two specimens in this lofty grade and none graded higher.
The photos really do not do justice to this spectacular beauty. Both obverse and reverse have deep mirror surfaces. The obverse is beautifully red, green, purple, and gold toned while the reverse is an untoned Full Blazing Red.
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171375-002 |
| Centavo
1937-1941 Commonwealth Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1937 M USA-PHIL 1C
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NGC MS 65 RD
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Specifications: (1937 through 1941) Bronze (95% copper, 5% zinc and tin), 80 Grains, 24 mm; (1944) Bronze (95% copper, 5% zinc), 80 Grains, 24 mm.
The One Centavos of 1937 through 1944 continue the same obverse design common to all Phillipine base medal coins from 1903 through 1936. In 1937 the reverse design of all US/Philippine coins were changed to reflect the new status for the Philippines as a Commonwealth of the United States. A smaller eagle was used, now perched atop a smaller shield with a banner below it inscribed "Commonwealth of the Philippines." The shield used was an adaptation of a design used for the official seal of "The Government of the Philippine Islands" which appeared on Philippine paper money starting in 1905.
The One Centavos of 1937 through 1941 were minted at the Manila Mint. During the 1942 through 1944 Japanese occupation of the Philippines nearly all coins disappeared from circulation, and most daily commerce was conducted with low denomination paper currency printed by Guerrilla military units, local municipalities, or Military and Civilian Currency Boards authorized by General MacArthur or the Commonwealth government-in-exile under President Quezon.
When American forces liberated the Philippines in 1944 - 1945 they brought with them Fifty Eight Million 1944 One Centavo coins minted at the San Francisco Mint.
The NGC population of the 1937 M One Centavo in MS65 Red is 8 coins with only 3 specimens graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS and ANACS) certified population of the 1937 M One Centavo in MS65 Red is 14 coins with 10 specimens graded higher. This specimen is a brilliant, well struck GEM.
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585452-018 |
| Centavo 1944 Wartime Alloy |
UNITED STATES
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1944 S USA-PHIL 1C
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PCGS MS 67 RD
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The 1944 One Centavo uses the same obverse and reverse designs as the pre-war One Centavo but has a different wartime composition.
The pre-war One Centavo was a bronze alloy of 95% copper, and 5% zinc and tin. Both copper and tin are important strategic materials during wartime. In order to conserve tin the wartime composition of the One Centavo was changed to a brass alloy of 95% copper and 5% zinc. This is the same alloy the mint used for the production of U.S. wartime pennies dated 1944-1946. The mint produced this alloy by combining ingots of pure copper with salvaged 70% copper shell casings.
During the 1942 through 1944 Japanese occupation of the Philippines, nearly all coins disappeared from circulation. In the occupied areas the Japanese collected all of the coins, melted them down and shipped them back to Japan. The few pre-war coins that escaped the melting pots were hoarded and hid away until after the war. Most daily commerce was conducted with low denomination paper currency (Emergency or Guerilla Currency) printed by Guerrilla military units, local municipalities, or Military and Civilian Currency Boards authorized by General MacArthur or the Commonwealth government-in-exile under President Quezon.
During the Japanese occupation there was a very active resistance movement in the Philippines, and allied inteligence was very much aware, of the economic situation in the islands, and the need to bring new coins and currency with them when they liberated the Philippines.
In preparation for General MacArthurs return to the Philippines, the Treasury Department ordered the San Francisco Mints to strike millions of One Centavo coins. When American forces liberated the Philippines in 1944 - 1945 they brought with them Fifty Eight Million 1944-S One Centavo coins.
The PCGS population for the 1944-S One Centavo in MS67 Red is six coins with none graded higher. The combined PCGS/NGC certified population for this coin in MS67 Red is only 12 coins with none graded higher.
This FULL RED SUPERB GEM is a die variety with the base of the last 4 missing at the left side (Allen number 3.06b). The 2012 edition of the Allen guide book lists the highest certified grade for this die variety at MS66 making this coin unique in MS67 RED.
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05912275 |
| Five Centavos
1903-1928
Territorial Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1908 USA-PHIL 5C
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NGC PF 66
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Copper-Nickel, 77.16 Grains, 20.5 mm. The 1903 through 1928 Five Centavos have the same obverse and reverse design as the Half Centavo and One Centavo coins. Business strikes were made at the Philadelphia Mint in 1903 and 1904, the San Francisco Mint from 1916 through 1919, and the Manila Mint from 1920 through 1928. A limited number of proof Five Centavos coins were made at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1908.
The 1908 Proof Five Centavos is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of 500 coins. The NGC population for this coin in PF66 is seven coins with only one specimen graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS, ANACS) certified population for the 1908 Five Centavos in PF66 is Twenty-nine coins with only two specimens graded higher. This PF66 Five Centavos is a beautifully toned SUPERB GEM.
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2750593-005 |
| Five Centavos
1930-1935 Reduced Size and Weight |
UNITED STATES
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1932 M USA-PHIL 5C
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PCGS MS 65
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Copper-Nickel, 75.16 Grains, 4.75 Grams,19 mm.
The obverse and reverse designs of the 1930 through 1935 Five Centavos is the same as the 1903 through 1928 Five Centavos. In 1907 a rise in the price of silver forced the reduction of the fineness and weight for all Philippine silver issues. The reduced size Twenty Centavos coins of 1907 - 1929 had a diameter of 20mm and were easily confused with the 20.5 mm Five Centavos of 1903 through 1928. This confusion resulted in a mismatching of dies for these two denominations in 1918 and again in 1928. A solution was found by reducing the diameter of the Five Centavos coin to 19 mm beginning in 1930. The reduced size and weight Five Centavos were made at the Manila Mint from 1930 through 1932, and again in 1934 and 1935.
In war time nickel and copper are strategic materials critical to a nations war effort. During the WWII Japanese occupation of the Philippines (1942 -1945) many pre-war Five Centavos were collected melted down and sent back to Japan.
The 1932 M Five Centavos had a mintage of 3,956,000.
The combined NGC/PCGS certified population for the 1932-M Five Centavos in MS65 is 16 specimens with none graded higher.
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18790431 |
| Five Centavos
1937-1941
Commonwealth Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1937 M USA-PHIL 5C
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PCGS MS 65
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The Five Centavos of 1937 through 1945 continued the same obverse design used on the 1903 through 1935 Five Centavos. The reverse used the Commonwealth Arms design which was common to the 1936 commemoratives and all Philippine coins from 1937 through 1945.
Five Centavos were made at the Manila Mint in 1937, 1938 and 1941; at the Philadelphia Mint in 1944; and the San Francisco Mint in 1944 and 1945. Pre-war coins struck at the Manila Mint have the same size (19 mm) and Copper-Nickel composition as the 1930 through 1935 Five Centavos but a slightly increased weight (75.16 Grains, 4.8000 Grams). During World War ll copper and nickel were strategic metals needed for the war effort. This resulted in the adoption of a copper-nickel-zink alloy for the 1944 and 1945 Five Centavos. The new alloy was 65% copper, 23% zink, and 12% nickel. The 1944 and 1945 Five Centavos had a weight of 4.92 Grams.
The 1937 M Five Centavos had a mintage of 2,494,000. The NGC population for this coin in MS65 is five coins with only three specimens graded higher. The combined NGC/PCGS certified population for the 1937 M Five Centavos in MS65 is 13 coins with 7 specimens graded higher.
This specimen has some very unusual strike characteristics:
The obverse has a lose of detail on the right side of the volcano, and the left side of the pedestal which is typical 1937-1941 Five Centavos. There is also three prominent Laminations (Mint Errors) on the rim running from 12 oclock to 5 oclock. The laminations are highly raised with boldly struck dentils. When viewed in person the laminations are also far more prominent and interesting than in the pictures.
The reverse has sharply struck center details but has a great lack of rim sharpness. The Castle with Crown, and Half Lion/Half Dolphin in the central devise is the sharpest I have ever seen on a pre-war Commonwealth Five Centavos and all of the lettering on the scroll is readable. In contrast the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is extremely weakly struck particularily the top parts of the lettering closest to the rim and the M mint mark is barely visible.
Although it does not show up in the photos this coin has exceptional eye appeal. In fact this specimen has the best eye appeal of any business strike Five Centavos that I have ever seen. The fields are Proof Like with iridescent rainbow toning. When you look at this coin face on it appears to be Gold Toned. However when you turn the coin to view it from different angles the colors change like in a hologram reveling beautiful shades of gold, blue, and red.
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21247716 |
| Five Centavos
1944-1945 Wartime Alloy |
UNITED STATES
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1944 S USA-PHIL 5C
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NGC MS 66
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The 1944 and 1945 Five Centavos use the same obverse and reverse designs as the pre-war Five Centavos but have a different Wartime composition.
The pre-war Five Centavos had a composition of Copper (75%) and Nickel (25%). Both Copper and Nickel are important strategic materials during wartime. Copper is needed for the production of shell casings and Nickel is an essential ingrediant in the manifacture of armor plating for ships, tanks, etc. In order to conserve Copper and Nickel the wartime alloy of the Five Centavos was changed to Copper (65%), Zinc (23%), and Nickel (12%).
During the 1942 through 1944 Japanese occupation of the Philippines nearly all coins disappeared from circulation. In the occupied areas the Japanese collected all of the coins melted them down and shipped them back to Japan. The few pre-war coins that escaped the melting pots were horded and hid away until after the war. Most daily commerce was conducted with low denomination paper currency (Emergency or Guerilla Currency) printed by Guerrilla military units, local municipalities, or Military and Civilian Currency Boards authorized by General MacArthur or the Commonwealth government-in-exile under President Quezon.
During the Japanese occupation there was a very active resistance movement in the Philippines and allied inteligence was very much aware, of the economic situation in the islands, and the need to bring new coins and currency with them when they liberated the Philippines.
In preparation for General MacArthurs return to the Philippines the Treasury Department ordered the Philadelphia, and San Francisco Mints to strike millions of Five Centavos coins. The Philadelphia Mint struck 21,198,000 Five Centavos dated 1944. There is no Mint Mark on the coins struck at Philadelphia. The San Francisco Mint Struck 14,040,000 Five Centavos dated 1944 and 72,796,000 dated 1945. Coins struck at San Francisco have a S Mint Mark.
When American forces liberated the Philippines in 1944 - 1945 they brought with them the Wartime Alloy Victory Coins produced in the continental United States.
The NGC population for the 1944-S Five Centavos in MS66 is five coins with none graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS, ANACS) certified population is 11/7.
This specimen is a fully struck, untoned GEM.
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2190221-021 |
| Ten Centavos
1903-1906
Territorial Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1906 USA-PHIL 10C
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PCGS PF 66
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This beautiful specimen from the Dr. Greg Pineda Collection is evenly and beautifully blue toned on the obverse, and has more brilliant but lovely shades of golden toning on the reverse. An exquisite offering of a rare coin.
The obverse design by Melicio Figueroa features a young Filipino woman standing to the right in a flowing dress while striking an anvil with a hammer held in her right hand, the left hand is raised and holding an olive branch. In the background is a billowing volcano. The reverse design, also by Melicio Figueroa, depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. At a weight of 2.69 Grams of .900 Silver the Large (17.5 mm) Ten Centavos, minted from 1903 through 1906 had a silver content equal to the U.S. Barber Dime. With an official exchange rate of two Philippine Pesos to one U.S. dollar it was not long before the value of the silver content in the Large Ten Centavos exceeded its face value and many were melted during the great silver melts of the period. Lyman Allen estimates that less than 20% of all 1903-1906 silver coinages exist today in any grade.
Business strikes of the Large Ten Centavos were coined at the Philadelphia Mint in 1903 and 1904 and the San Francisco Mint in 1903 and 1904. Proofs of the Large Ten Centavos were made in very limited quantities at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1906.
Proof sets were not sold in any sort of protective packaging or cases but were contained in plain paper envelopes and each coin was wrapped individually in thin tissue paper. This method of packaging has contributed to the micro thin hairline scratches seen on most proof coins as well as the heavy toning often seen. GEM proof coins are very scarce.
The 1906 Ten Centavos is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of only 500 coins. The combined NGC/PCGS Population is 17/14 (NGC Population 5/4, PCGS Population 12/10)
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24249819 |
| Ten Centavos
1907-1935 Reduced Size and Weight |
UNITED STATES
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1907 USA-PHIL 10C
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NGC MS 66
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.750 Silver, 2.0 Grams, ASW .04820 oz, 16.5 mm.
The obverse and reverse designs of the 1907 through 1921 Ten Centavos is the same as the 1903 through 1906 Ten Centavos. In 1907 a rise in the price of silver forced the reduction of the fineness and weight for all Philippine silver issues. In 1907 the silver Ten Centavos was reduced in fineness from .900 silver, 2.69 Grams to .750 silver, 2.0 Grams, and the diameter was reduced from 17.5 mm to 16.5 mm.
Business strikes of the reduced size and weight Ten Centavos were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1907, the San Francisco Mint from 1907 through 1919, and the Manila Mint from 1920 through 1935. Proof reduced size and weight Ten Centavos were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1908.
1907 was the FIRST YEAR OF ISSUE for the Reduced Size & Weight Ten Centavos and the only year that business strikes of this type were made at the Philadelphia mint. The mintage of 1907 (P) Ten Centavos was 1,501,000.
The NGC population for this coin in MS66 is three coins with none graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS, ANACS) certified population for the 1907 Ten Centavos in MS66 is 14 coins with only three specimens graded higher. This specimen is a brilliant fully struck Superb GEM.
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2190219-016 |
| Ten Centavos
1937-1945
Commonwealth Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1941 M USA-PHIL 10C
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NGC MS 66
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.750 silver, 2.0 Grams, ASW .0482 oz, 16.5 mm.
The Ten Centavos of 1937 through 1945 continued the same obverse design used on the 1903 through 1935 Ten Centavos. The reverse used the Commonwealth Arms design which was common to to the 1936 commemoratives and all Philippine coins from 1937 through 1945. Ten Centavos were made at the Manila Mint from 1937 through 1941, and at the the Denver Mint in 1944 and 1945.
The 1941 M Ten Centavos has a great deal of historical signifiance in that this coin was born on the eve of World War ll and was certainly among the last coins produced at the Manila Mint before the Japanese invaded the Philippines.
Manila was occupied by the Japanese from January 2, 1942 until March 3, 1945.
On January 9, 1944 U.S. forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur landed at Lingayen Gulf on the Island of Luzon and proceeded to fight their way south to liberate Manila. As the forces of liberation neared Manila the Japanese general in command of the Philippines ordered all of his forces to withdraw from the city. Unfortunately the commander of the Japanese Naval Defense Force in Manila disobeyed his orders and fortified the city.
The key to the cities defenses was the Intramuros, an ancient walled fortress built by the Spanish, and the strongly-built public buildings constructed by the Spanish and American administrations.
Quote: a defensive plan centered on the inner stronghold of the ancient walled city of Intramuros. Beyond the walls was a semicircle of public buildings prepared for defense to the last man. Streets and structures were mined, and each building was adequately victualled to be self-sufficient. Intermixed with and beyond the public buildings was a cats cradle of mutually supporting antitank, machine-gun and rifle fire covering existing obstacles. (Connaughton, 1995, p. 108)
The Mint of the Philippine Islands was located in the Intendencia Building which was constructed by the Spanish in 1876 to earthquake-proof specifications. This made the mint building extremely strong and a natural fortress for the Japanese garrison of Manila which deployed strong defenses in and around the mint building. The mints location on the south bank of the Pasig River was only yards away from the only gap in the forty foot wide, 20-feet-high stone-block walls of the ancient walled fortress of the Intramuros.
Quote: the great wall ended at the Intendencia building, or Government Mint, so that a gap like an open door led through into the enclosed city. (Connaugton, 1995, p. 163)
This placed the mint building directly on the Allied main axis of attack during the month long (February 3, 1945 - March 3, 1945) Battle of Manila.
The final allied attack on the Intramuros was an amphibious assault, by the 3rd Battalion, 129th Regiment, across the Pasig River, past the government mint, and through the gap in the walls of the Intramuros. In order to prevent heavy allied casualties during the attack, it was necessary for U.S. artillery to knock out the Japanese strongholds in and around the mint building.
Quote: The number of artillery pieces used in support of the assault on Intramuros exceeded 140...Also in support, and interspersed among the big guns, were 105mm self-propelled howitzers, tank destroyers and medium tanks...At 7:30 a.m. on February 23 (1945) the order Fire! was given. The corps and divisional artillery, tanks, tank destroyers, mortars and machine-guns...belched out volley after volley in what has been described as the most coordinated and devastating (artillery) preparation of the entire Luzon operation...The missions of the direct-fire weapons were oriented around the Government Mint.(Connaughton, 1995, p 164-166)
In the fierce fighting to liberate Manila from the Japanese much of the city, including the grand old Manila Mint, was destroyed.
Quote: During the month-long battle... the city was completely destroyed...The Battle for Manila occupies a unique place in the history of the Pacific War. It was the only occasion on which American and Japanese forces fought each other in a city and it was the largest battle of its kind yet fought by either the American or Japanese armies. The destruction of Manila was on the same scale as the destruction of Warsaw...and smaller only than the battles of Berlin...and Stalingrad. (Connaughton, 1995, p 15).
The 1941 M Ten Centavos had a mintage of 2,500,000. The NGC population of this coin in MS66 is twelve coins with only four specimens graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS, ANACS) cerftified population for the 1941 M Ten Centavos in MS66 is twenty-two coins with only five specimens graded higher. This coin is a fully struck, brilliant, untoned SUBERB GEM.
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2061773-013 |
| Twenty Centavos 1903-1906
Territorial Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1903 USA-PHIL 20C
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PCGS PF 66
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The obverse design by Melicio Figueroa features a young Filipino woman standing to the right in a flowing dress while striking an anvil with a hammer held in her right hand, the left hand is raised and holding an olive branch. In the background is a billowing volcano. The reverse design, also by Melicio Figueroa, depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield.
The Large (23 mm) Twenty Centavos minted from 1903 through 1906 had a weight of 5.385 Grams of .900 Silver. With an official exchange rate of two Philippine Pesos to one U.S. dollar it was not long before the value of the silver content in the Large Twenty Centavos exceeded its face value and many were melted during the great silver melts of the period. In 1906 the silver coins held in reserve by the Treasury to back the Philippine paper money then in circulation were exported to the U.S. for re-coinage into the reduced size and weight pieces which followed in 1907. Lyman Allen estimates that less than 20% of all 1903-1906 silver coinages exist today in any grade.
Business strikes were coined at the Philadelphia Mint in 1903 and 1904 and the San Francisco Mint from 1903 through 1905. Proofs of the Large Twenty Centavos were made in very limited quantities at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1906. Proof sets were not sold in any sort of protective packaging or cases but were contained in plain paper envelopes and each coin was wrapped individually in thin tissue paper. This method of packaging has contributed to the micro thin hairline scratches seen on most proof coins as well as the heavy toning often seen. Choice and GEM proof coins are very scarce.
The mintage of the 1903 Proof Twenty Centavos is 2,558. The PCGS population of the 1903 Twenty Centavos in Proof-66 is 14 coins with only 2 specimens graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS, ANACS) population of the 1903 Twenty Centavos in PF66 is 21 coins with 7 specimens graded higher. This specimen is a well struck, untoned, fully brilliant SUPERB GEM with beautiful mirror fields.
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15761470 |
| Twenty Centavos 1907-1929 Reduced Size and Weight |
UNITED STATES
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1908 USA-PHIL 20C
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NGC PF 65
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.750 Silver, 4.0 Grams, 20 mm.
The obverse and reverse designs of the 1907 through 1929 Twenty Centavos are the same as the 1903 through 1906 Twenty Centavos.
In 1907 a rise in the price of silver forced the reduction of the fineness and weight for all Philippine silver issues. In 1907 the silver Twenty Centavos was reduced in fineness from .900 silver, 5.385 Grams to .750 silver, 4.0 Grams, and the diameter was reduced from 23 mm to 20 mm. Business strikes of the reduced size and weight Twenty Centavos were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1907, the San Francisco Mint from 1907 through 1919, and the Manila Mint from 1920 through 1929. Proof reduced size and weight Twenty Centavos were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1908.
The 1908 Twenty Centavos is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of 500 coins. The NGC population of the 1908 Twenty Centavos in PF65 is eight coins with nine specimens graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS, ANACS) certified population for this coin is 22/18.
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4087840-005 |
| Twenty Centavos
MULED with Five Centavos Reverse
1928/7 |
UNITED STATES
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1928 M USA-PHIL 20C MULED WITH 5C REVERSE
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PCGS AU 55
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All 1928-M Twenty Centavos are "MULES", combining the regular Twenty Centavos obverse die with a regular Five Centavos reverse die, which bears a narrower shield and larger date than the Twenty Centavos reverse. Unlike the 1918-S Five Centavos MULE which was made in error the 1928-M Twenty Centavos MULE was made intentionally to fill a rush order for Twenty Centavos pieces from the banking community. Since no reverse dies for Twenty Centavos had been sent from Philadelphia that year, the only suitably sized reverse die available was that used for Five Centavos coins. A 1927 Five Centavos die was altered and used for the 1928 Twenty Centavos. The underdate feature is faint at best and is rarely if ever detectable.
The 1928/7-M MULE had a Mintage of only 100,000 coins making it the lowest mintage "Reduced Size & Weight" Twenty Centavos and a key date in the Twenty Centavos series. In AU55 this coin has a PCGS Population of 2/38 and a Combined PCGS/NGC Population of 2/52.
This specimen is a well struck, problem free, Choice AU, with plenty of original mint luster and a nice cartwheel on both obverse and reverse.
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31080236 |
| Twenty Centavos 1937-1945
Commonwealth Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1944 D/S USA-PHIL 20C ALLEN-12.04a
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NGC MS 66
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750 Silver, 4.0 Grams, 20 mm.
The Twenty Centavos of 1937 through 1945 continued the same obverse design used on the 1903 through 1929 Twenty Centavos. The reverse used the Commonwealth Arms design which was common to the 1936 commemoratives and all Philippine coins from 1937 through 1945. Twenty Centavos were made at the Manila Mint from 1937 through 1941, and at the Denver Mint in 1944 and 1945.
This specimen is a 1944 D/S (D over S Mint Mark) Allen Catalog Number 12.04a. The 1944 D over S Twenty Centavos is unique among USA/Philippine Die Varities in that it is the only time during the 43 year history of U.S./Philippine coinage that a mint mark was ever over-punched with the mint mark from a different mint. The combined NGC/PCGS certified population for this important die variety in MS66 as 11 coins with only 4 specimens graded higher. The NGC population for this coin in MS66 is 6 coins with only 4 specimens graded higher. This specimen is a fully struck, untoned SUPERB GEM.
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4014550-010 |
| Fifty Centavos
1903-1906
Territorioal Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1906 USA-PHIL 50C
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NGC PF 66
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The obverse design by Melicio Figueroa features a young Filipino woman standing to the right in a flowing dress while striking an anvil with a hammer held in her right hand, the left hand is raised and holding an olive branch. In the background is a billowing volcano. The reverse design, also by Melicio Figueroa, depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield.
At a weight of 13.4784 Grams of .900 Silver (ASW: 0.3900oz) the Large (30 mm) Fifty Centavos, minted from 1903 through 1906 had a silver content equal to the U.S. Barber Half Dollar. With an official exchange rate of two Philippine Pesos to one U.S. dollar it was not long before the value of the silver content in the Large Fifty Centavos exceeded its face value and many were melted during the great silver melts of the period. In 1906 the silver coins held in reserve by the Treasury to back the Philippine paper money then in circulation were exported to the U.S. for re-coinage into the reduced size and weight pieces which followed in 1907. Lyman Allen estimates that less than 20% of all 1903-1906 silver coinages exist today in any grade.
Business strikes were coined at the Philadelphia Mint in 1903 and 1904 and the San Francisco Mint from 1903 through 1905. Proofs of the Large Fifty Centavos were made in very limited quantities at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1906. Proof sets were not sold in any sort of protective packaging or cases but were contained in plain paper envelopes and each coin was wrapped individually in thin tissue paper. This method of packaging has contributed to the micro thin hairline scratches seen on most proof coins as well as the heavy toning often seen.
The 1906 Fifty Centavos is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of only 500. The NGC population for the 1906 Fifty Centavos in PF66 is eight coins with only seven specimens graded higher. The combined NGC/PCGS population is 20/19.
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3593512-020 |
| Fifty Centavos
1907-1921 Reduced Size and Weight |
UNITED STATES
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1908 USA-PHIL 50C
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PCGS PF 64
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Specifications: 750 Silver, 10.0 Grams, ASW: 0.2411oz, 27 mm.
The obverse and reverse designs of the 1907 through 1921 Fifty Centavos are the same as the 1903 through 1906 Fifty Centavos.
In 1907 a rise in the price of silver forced the reduction of the fineness and weight for all Philippine silver issues. The silver Fifty Centavos was reduced in fineness from .900 silver, 13.48 Grams to .750 silver, 10.0 Grams, and the diameter was reduced from 30 mm to 27 mm. Business strikes of the reduced size and weight Fifty Centavos were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1907, the San Francisco Mint from 1907 through 1919, and the Manila Mint in 1920 and 1921. Proof reduced size and weight Fifty Centavos were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1908.
The 1908 Fifty Centavos is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of 500 coins. The combined NGC/PCGS Population for the 1908 Fifty Centavos in PF64 is 16 coins with 44 specimens graded higher. (NGC Population 4/18, PCGC Population 12/26)
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2525584 |
| Fifty Centavos 1936
Murphy-Quezon |
UNITED STATES
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1936 M USA-PHIL 50C MURPHY-QUEZON
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NGC MS 65
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.750 Silver, 10.0 Grams, 27 mm. Mintage 20,000 (The actual number of existing coins is far less as many of these coins were crated and thrown into Manila Bay, near Corregidor, in 1942 to avoid seizure by the invading forces of Japan.)
In 1936 the Manila Mint produced a set of three coins to commemorate the founding of the Commonwealth Of The Philippines on November 15,1935. The obverse design of the Murphy-Quezon Fifty Centavos features portraits of the first Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon and U.S. Governor General Frank Murphy. The reverse design depicts the official seal of "The Commonwealth of the Philippines".
The NGC population for this coin in MS 65 is thirty-eight specimens with only five coins graded higher. The combined NGC/PCGS certified population for the 1936 Murphy-Quezon Fifty Centavos in MS65 is sixty-six coins with only six coins graded higher. This NGC MS-65 specimen is a fully struck, silver toned GEM.
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3165764-005 |
| Fifty Centavos
1944-1945
Commonwealth Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1945 S USA-PHIL 50C
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NGC MS 67
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.750 Silver, 10.0 Grams, 27 mm.
The Fifty Centavos of 1944 and 1945 continued the same obverse design used on the 1903 through 1921 Fifty Centavos. The reverse used the Commonwealth Arms design which was common to the 1936 commemoratives and all Philippine coins from 1937 through 1945. Fifty Centavos were made at the San Francisco Mint in 1944 and 1945.
The 1945 S Fifty Centavos had a mintage of 18,120,000. The NGC population for this coin in MS67 is fifteen coins with none graded higher. The combined NGC/PCGS certified population is for this coin in MS67 is twenty-three coins with none graded higher.This specimen is a fully brilliant, untoned SUPERB GEM.
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2751510-018 |
| Peso
1903-1906
Territorial Reverse |
UNITED STATES
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1903 USA-PHIL PESO
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NGC PF 64
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Without a doubt the Large Peso is the "King" of the USA/Philippines Type Set. The large 38 mm size of this coin showcases the beautiful obverse design of Melicio Figueroa which features a young Filipino woman standing to the right in a flowing dress while striking an anvil with a hammer held in her right hand, the left hand is raised and holding an olive branch. In the background is a billowing volcano. The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. At a weight of 26.9568 Grams of .900 Silver (ASW .78000 oz) the Large Peso, minted from 1903 through 1906 had a silver content equal to the U.S. Morgan Dollar.
With an official exchange rate of two Philippine Pesos to one U.S. dollar it was not long before the value of the silver content in the Large Peso exceeded its face value and many were melted during the great silver melts of the period. In 1906 the Silver Pesos held in reserve by the Treasury to back the Philippine paper money then in circulation were exported to the U.S. for re-coinage into the reduced size and weight pieces which followed in 1907. Lyman Allen estimates that less than 20% of all 1903-1906 silver coinages exist today in any grade.
The weight and size of this coin made it particularly prone to bag marks so Choice BU and GEM BU specimens of business strikes are a challenge to collect. Business strikes were coined at the Philadelphia Mint in 1903 and 1904 and the San Francisco Mint from 1903 through 1906.
Proof Large Pesos were made in very limited quantities at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1906. Proof sets were not sold in any sort of protective packaging or cases but were contained in plain paper envelopes and each coin was wrapped individually in thin tissue paper. This method of packaging has contributed to the micro thin hairline scratches seen on most proof coins as well as the heavy toning often seen. Choice and GEM proof coins are very scarce.
The mintage of the 1903 Proof Peso is 2,558. The NGC population for the 1903 Peso in Proof 64 is 5 coins with 23 specimens graded higher. The combined NGC/PCGS certified population in PF 64 is 24 coins with 43 specimens graded higher.
With a combined NGC/PCGS population of only 67 coins in PF 64 or higher this specimen has a grade rarity of R-7 (EXTREMELY RARE). This beautiful example of the Large Peso has great eye appeal with iridescent blue and gold toning over pristine original mirror surfaces.
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2772654-001 |
| Peso
1907-1912 Reduced Size and Weight |
UNITED STATES
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1908 USA-PHIL PESO
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NGC PF 63
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.800 Silver, 20.0 Grams, 35 mm.
The obverse and reverse designs of the 1907 through 1912 Peso are the same as the 1903 through 1906 Peso.
In 1907 a rise in the price of silver forced the reduction of the fineness and weight for all Philippine silver issues. In 1907 the silver Peso was reduced in fineness from .900 silver, 26.95 Grams to .800 silver, 20.0 Grams, and the diameter was reduced from 38 mm to 35 mm.
Business strikes of the reduced size and weight Peso were struck at the San Francisco Mint from 1907 through 1912. Proof reduced size and weight Pesos were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1908.
In 1942 about 16 million Pesos in silver coins were crated and thrown into the sea near Corregidor to avoid seizure by the invading forces of Japan. The majority of these coins were 1907 through 1912 Pesos that were being stored for use as backing for the paper money then in circulation. Since the war over 10 million Pesos have been salvaged however these sea salvaged coins are typically heavily corroded from their long immersion in salt water.
The 1908 Peso is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of 500 coins. The NGC population of the 1908 Peso in PF63 is ten coins with nineteen specimens graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS, ANACS) certified population for this coin is 15/49.
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4087840-008 |
| Peso 1936
Murphy-Quezon |
UNITED STATES
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1936 M USA-PHIL PESO MURPHY-QUEZON
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NGC MS 65
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.800 Silver, 20.0 Grams, ASW .5144 oz, 35 mm.
In 1936 the Manila Mint produced a set of three coins to commemorate the founding of the Commonwealth Of The Philippines on November 15,1935. The obverse design of the Murphy-Quezon Peso features portraits of the first Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon and U.S. Governor General Frank Murphy. The reverse design depicts the official seal of "The Commonwealth of the Philippines".
The Mintage of the 1936M Murphy-Quezon Peso was 10,000 coins, however, the actual number of existing coins is far less as many of these coins were crated and thrown into Manila Bay, near Corregidor, in 1942 to avoid seizure by the invading forces of Japan.
The NGC population for the Murphy-Quezon Peso in MS-65 is 32 coins with 15 specimens graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS, ANACS) certified population for this coin in MS-65 is 65 coins with 34 specimens graded higher. This NGC MS-65 specimen is a fully struck, untoned, fully brilliant GEM.
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2190219-001 |
| Peso 1936
Roosevelt-Quezon |
UNITED STATES
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1936 M USA-PHIL PESO ROOSEVELT-QUEZON
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NGC MS 66
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.800 Silver, 20.0 Grams, ASW .5144 oz, 35 mm.
In 1936 the Manila Mint produced a set of three coins to commemorate the founding of the Commonwealth Of The Philippines on November 15,1935. The obverse design of the Roosevelt-Quezon Peso features portraits of the first Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was the second appearance of a living U.S. President on a coin issued by the United States. The other was on the U.S. Sesquicentennial commemorative Half Dollar issued in 1926 on which living President Calvin Coolidge was portrayed.
The reverse design of the Roosevelt-Quezon Peso depicts the official seal of "The Commonwealth of the Philippines".
Design elements of the Commonwealth Reverse incorporate the rich history of the Philippines. The eagle perched atop the shield, of course, represents the United States. The shield used was an adaptation of a design used for the official seal of The Government of the Philippine Islands which appeared on Philippine paper money starting in 1905 (Allen 2008). The three stars at the top of the shield represent the three main geographical regions of the Philippines: Luzon, Mindanao, and the Visayas. The lettering on the Scroll beneath the shield reads Commonwealth of the Philippines. The oval in the center of the shield depicts a modification of the Coat of Arms of the City of Manila which dates to 1596.
On the 20th of March, 1596 King Philip The II bestowed upon the ensigne y siempre leal City of Manila a Coat of Arms such as is possessed by other cities of the Indies. It shall consist of a shield which shall have in its upper part a golden castle on a red field closed by blue doors and windows and which shall be surmounted by a crown and on the lower half on a blue field, a half lion and half dolphin of silver armed and langued gules (red nails and tongue). The said lion shall hold in his paws a sword with guards and hilt. (Royal Edict of March 20, 1596 as quoted in Perez 1946 and 1975)
If you look at the attached picture, you can clearly see the castle surmounted by a crown and the half lion-half dolphin holding a sword with guards and hilt in his paws.
The mintage of the 1936M Roosevelt-Quezon Peso was 10,000 coins, however, the actual number of existing coins is far less as many of these coins were crated and thrown into Manila Bay, near Corregidor, in 1942 to avoid seizure by the invading forces of Japan.
The NGC population of the Roosevelt-Quezon Peso in MS66 is 16 coins with none graded higher. The combined (NGC, PCGS, ANACS) population of this coin in MS66 is 45 coins with only one specimen graded higher. This NGC MS66 specimen is a fully struck, untoned, fully brilliant SUPERB GEM.
References:
U.S./Philippine Coins, 6th Edition, 2008, by Lyman L. Allen
The Copper Coinage of the Philippines by Dr. Gilbert S. Perez, first published in the Coin Collectors Journal, Sept-October 1946 and reprinted in Philippine Numismatic Monographs Number 19 in 1975.
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2196752-006 |
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