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The U.S. Mint Goes to War

Owner:  coin928
Last Modified:  2/15/2024
  
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Slot: 1939 Cuba, Peso
Origin/Country: CUBA
Design Description:
Item Description: PESO 1939 KM-22
Grade: NGC MS 62
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Cuba - 1939(P) Peso ABC Type - KM #22 - Mintage: 9,200,000

These coins were minted in Philadelphia for circulation in Cuba. This was the first full year of production for the new ABC Type Peso. This is quite an attractive coin and exhibits the Art Deco style which was popular at the time.

Why is it called the "ABC" Peso? I was curious, so I did some quick internet research and came across a very comprehensive article in the Cuban Numismatic Association Newsletter from October 2004 entitled "DO YOU KNOW YOUR ABC’s ???" (http://www.cubanumis.com/CNANL-03/abc.html) It appears to be a reprint of a paper entitled "The story behind the 1934-1939 Cuban One Peso Issue." by Michael S. Turrini, orginally published in April, 1986. A really good description of the coin design elements can be found on CoinTalk at http://www.cointalk.com/t18539/.

From these excellent sources I learned that the "ABC" Peso was named after a clandestine group of businessmen, and a few politicians known at the time only as the ABC group. ABC got its name from the three alphabetical cells its members belonged to; A, B, and C. The ABC was organized in December, 1931, and soon won national acclaim for its ability to intimidate Gerardo Machado y Morales and his government. When Morales was overthrown in August 1933, these individuals helped Cuba achieve stability after the chaos generated by the uprising.

Date acquired: 4/30/2020 (Already graded by NGC)

Rev. 4/30/2020
Slot: 1939 Dominican Republic, Peso
Origin/Country: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Design Description:
Item Description: PESO 1939 Dom.rep. KM-22
Grade: NGC XF 40
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Dominican Republic - 1939 Peso (KM# 22) - Mintage: 15,000

This coin was minted by the US Mint in Philadelphia for circulation in the Dominican Republic. The weight of these coins as stated on the obverse is the same as that of the U.S. silver dollar, last minted in 1935.

The obverse shows the head of a Dominican Indian girl wearing a feathered headdress bearing the word "LIBERTAD." Around the boarder is the denomination "UN PESO," the weight "26.7 GRAMOS," and the date below the bust. The reverse is dominated by the coat-of-arms of the Republic surrounded by wreaths of palm and laurel on either side. The scroll at the top contains the incused words "DIOS PATRIA LIBERTAD" (God, Country and Liberty). The lower scroll, also incused, reads REPUBLICA DOMINCANA."

The mention of God and liberty (LIBERTAD on both sides of this coin) is very ironic given the iron-fisted nature of the Rafael Trujillo's regime (1930-1961). Economic growth was achieved by absolute repression and the copious use of murder, torture, and terrorist methods against the opposition.

The mintage for this coins is relatively small and high grade specimens are difficult (i.e. very expensive) to obtain. This coin only graded EF40, but the wear is very even and the design elements are still fully identifiable.

Date acquired: 8/27/2014 (Already graded by NGC)
Date regraded: 12/29/2014 (resubmitted to NGC)

Rev. 12/2/2015
Slot: 1939 Honduras, 1C
Origin/Country: HONDURAS
Design Description:
Item Description: 1C 1939 KM-77.1
Grade: NGC MS 65 BN
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Honduras - 1939 Centavo - KM-77.1 - Mintage:2,000,000

Struck by the Philadelphia mint for circulation in Honduras.

Date acquired: 8/24/2022 (Already graded by NGC)
Date graded: 5/7/2022

Rev. 8/25/2022
Slot: 1939 Honduras, 2C
Origin/Country: HONDURAS
Design Description:
Item Description: 2C 1939 KM-78
Grade: NGC MS 66 RD
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Honduras - 1939 2 Centavos - KM-78 - Mintage: 2,000,000

Minted by the Philadelphia mint for circulation in Honduras.

Date acquired: 1/19/2020 (Already graded by NGC)

Rev. 1/19/2020
Slot: 1940 El Salvador, 1C
Origin/Country: EL SALVADOR
Design Description:
Item Description: 1C 1940 Elsalvador KM-133
Grade: NGC MS 64
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
El Salvador - 1940 1 Centavo - KM #133 - Mintage: 1,000,000
Composition: Copper-Nickel
Weight: 2.5000g
Struck with Medallic Rotation
REPÚBLICA DE EL SALVADOR (Minted in Philadelphia - one year type)

This coin bears the image of Francisco Morazán, who was Head of State in El Salvador for less than a year from July 13, 1839 to March 18, 1840. This in and of itself would not seem significant, however Francisco Morazán was also the Head of State of Honduras (1827-1830), President of the Central American Federation from 1830-1839, and Head of State of Costa Rica (1842-1842). Morazán became a martyr and a symbol of the Republic of Central America when he was executed on September 15, 1842, for attempting to restore the union. El Salvador was one of the first countries to pay tribute to Morazán, and his image appears on much of their coinage.

Minted by the Philadelphia mint for circulation in El Salvador.

Date acquired: 1/21/2009 (Raw coin)
Date graded: 9/24/2019 (Self submitted to NGC)

Rev. 10/5/2019
Slot: 1940 French Indo-China, 10C
Origin/Country: FRENCH INDO-CHINA
Design Description:
Item Description: 10C 1940 F.i.china KM-21.1
Grade: NGC MS 66
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
French Indo-China - 1940 10 Centimes (KM #21.1) - Mintage:25,505,000 (Total all mints)

At first glance, it would appear that this coin was minted by the Paris mint based on the Privy marks on the reverse. The dies were prepared in Paris, but these coins were struck in pure nickel by the U.S. Mint in San Francisco.

Most coins struck this year are softly struck and contain little high point detail. This coin however, is beautifully struck and very well preserved for this date.

Date acquired: 3/13/2016 (Already graded by NGC)

Rev 5/23/2018
Slot: 1940 Nicaragua, 1C
Origin/Country: NICARAGUA
Design Description:
Item Description: 1C 1940 KM-11
Grade: NGC MS 64 RB
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Nicaragua - 1940(P) Centavo - (KM # 11) - Mintage: 2,000,000

Minted in Bronze by the US Mint. in Philadelphia.

Date acquired: 10/27/2020 (Already graded by NGC)

Rev. 10/28/2020
Slot: 1940 Panama, 1 1/4C
Origin/Country: PANAMA
Design Description:
Item Description: 1.25C 1940 KM-15
Grade: NGC MS 64 BN
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Panama 1 1/4 Centésimos (KM #15) - Mintage: 1,600,000

Minted by the Philadelphia Mint or circulation in Panama.

Date acquired: 5/23/2009 (Raw coin)
Date graded: 9/24/2019 (Self submitted to NGC)

Rev. 10/4/2019
Slot: 1940 Panama, 2 1/2C
Origin/Country: PANAMA
Design Description:
Item Description: 2.5C 1940 KM-16
Grade: NGC MS 66
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Panama 2 1/2 Centésimos (KM #16) - Mintage: 1,200,000

Minted by the Philadelphia Mint or circulation in Panama.

Date acquired: 12/4/2015 (already graded by NGC)

Rev. 10/4/2019

Slot: 1941S French Indo-China, 10C
Origin/Country: FRENCH INDO-CHINA
Design Description:
Item Description: 10C 1941S F.i.china KM-21.1a
Grade: NGC MS 62
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
French Indo-China - 1941S - 10 Centimes (KM# 21.1a) - Mintage: 50,000,000

When France fell to Germany in June of 1940, Indochina (modern day Viet Nam) became one of the first wartime clients of the U.S. Mint. The vast majority of 1940A nickel 10 Centime coins were minted by the San Francisco mint using dies created by the Paris mint, complete with the "A" mint mark. The entire region was very unstable and people began hoarding coins, thus causing a coin shortage. This issue, and a 20 Centime coin with an identical design were contracted by the French government even though Indochina had essentially fallen under Japanese control in September of 1940. The coins were minted at the San Francisco mint and even bear the "S" mint mark at the bottom of the reverse. Once Japan bombed Perl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the U.S. mint ceased all production of coinage for French Indochina. These coins were most likely hoarded as well and quickly disappeared from circulation. These coins are relatively low relief and tend to be poorly struck.

This particular coin is very well struck on the obverse, but the strike on the reverse is good in the central elements, but softens around the peripheral lettering and design elements. The "S" mint mark is very flat at the base and appears to fade into the rim. The reverse die was probably nearing the end of its life when this coin was struck.

Date acquired: 4/3/2013 (Already graded by NGC)

Rev. 11/29/2015
Slot: 1941S French Indo-China, 20C
Origin/Country: FRENCH INDO-CHINA
Design Description:
Item Description: 20C 1941S F.i.china KM-23a.2
Grade: NGC MS 64
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
French Indo-China - 1941S - 20 Centimes (KM# 23a.2) - Mintage: 25,000,000

When France fell to Germany in June of 1940, Indochina (modern day Viet Nam) became one of the first wartime clients of the U.S. Mint. The vast majority of 1940A nickel 10 Centime coins were minted by the San Francisco mint using dies created by the Paris mint, complete with the "A" mint mark. The entire region was very unstable and people began hoarding coins, thus causing a coin shortage. This issue, and a 10 Centime coin with an identical design were contracted by the French government even though Indochina had essentially fallen under Japanese control in September of 1940. The coins were minted at the San Francisco mint and even bear the "S" mint mark at the bottom of the reverse. Once Japan bombed Perl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the U.S. mint ceased all production of coinage for French Indochina. These coins were most likely hoarded as well and quickly disappeared from circulation. These coins are relatively low relief and tend to be poorly struck.

This particular coin exhibits a fairly typical soft strike. The "S" mint mark is however quite noticeable on the reverse.

Date acquired: 5/4/2014 (Already graded by NGC)

Rev. 11/29/2015
Slot: 1941 Liberia, 1/2C
Origin/Country: LIBERIA
Design Description:
Item Description: 1/2C 1941 KM-10a
Grade: NGC MS 66
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Liberia - 1941 1/2 cent - KM #10a - Mintage: 250,000

Minted by the Philadelphia mint for circulation in Liberia. These coins had been struck by the mint in Birmingham, England but during the war, the original Birmingham dies were sent to the Philadelphia mint for striking.

This design was struck in Half Cent, One Cent, and Two Cent denominations. The Half and Two Cent denominations must not have been received well because high grade samples of each are relatively easy to find. The one Cent coin however must have been quite popular because these are very difficult to obtain.

This particular coin is a very nice example of the half cent coin.

Date acquired: 8/10/2022 (Already graded by NGC)

Rev. 8/10/2022
Slot: 1941 Liberia, 1C
Origin/Country: LIBERIA
Design Description:
Item Description: CENT 1941 KM-11a
Grade: NGC MS 64
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Liberia - 1941 Cent - KM #11a - Mintage: 250,000

Minted by the Philadelphia mint for circulation in Liberia. These coins had been struck by the mint in Birmingham, England but during the war, the original Birmingham dies were sent to the Philadelphia mint for striking.

This design was struck in Half Cent, One Cent, and Two Cent denominations. The Half and Two Cent denominations must not have been received well because high grade samples of each are relatively easy to find. The one Cent coin however must have been quite popular because these are quite difficult to obtain.

I was very fortunate to find this one as a raw coin. I had hoped that this coin might grade MS65, but as of this revision, there are three graded by NGC at MS64 with only one finer at MS65, so this is about as good as it gets for now.

Date acquired: 2/9/2021 (raw coin)
Date graded: 7/8/2021 (self submitted to NGC)

Rev. 2/13/2024
Slot: 1941 Liberia, 2C
Origin/Country: LIBERIA
Design Description:
Item Description: 2C 1941 KM-12a
Grade: NGC MS 65
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Liberia - 1941 2 cent - KM #12a - Mintage: 810,000

Minted by the Philadelphia mint for circulation in Liberia. These coins had been struck by the mint in Birmingham, England but during the war, the original Birmingham dies were sent to the Philadelphia mint for striking.

This design was struck in Half Cent, One Cent, and Two Cent denominations. The Half and Two Cent denominations must not have been received well because high grade samples of each are relatively easy to find. The one Cent coin however must have been quite popular because these are quite difficult to obtain.

Date acquired: 7/4/2011 (Already graded by NGC)

Rev. 11/28/2015
Slot: 1941P Netherlands-Curaçao/Suriname, 10C
Origin/Country: CURACAO
Design Description:
Item Description: 10C 1941P KM-37
Grade: NGC MS 62
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Curaçao/Suriname -1941 P (Palm Privy) - (KM #37) - Total Mintage: 800,000
Curaçao: 300,000 minted in 1941
Suriname: 500,000 minted in 1941

Obverse: Head of Queen of the Netherlands Wilhelmina I facing left
Obverse Legend: WILHELMINA KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN (Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands)
Reverse: Denomination and date within wreath
Reverse Legend: none
Edge: Reeded

This coin was minted by the Philadelphia Mint during World War II for circulation in the Dutch Colonies of Curaçao and Suriname. 800,000 coins were struck in 1941, 300,000 for Curaçao and 500,000 for Suriname. It even bears the "P" mint mark just below the second "1" in the date in addition to the Palm tree privy mark used by the Dutch mints to distinguish similar looking coinage intended for the colonies from those intended for circulation in the The Netherlands. The privy mark on those coins is an acorn. The Palm tree was used on nearly all colonial coinage even though in many cases there would have been no confusion given other markings on the coin.

It should be noted that the claim made on the U.S. Mint web site that 1942 was the first year that the Philadelphia mint identified itself on a coin using the "P" mint mark is clearly NOT true. The Philadelphia mint produced no less than four different coins in 1941 bearing a "P" mint mark. The others are the 25 Cent coin minted for Curaçao and Suriname and the .Netherlands East Indies 1/10G. and 1/4G. To be completely accurate, the Philadelphia mint first identified itself on a coin intended for circulation 47 years earlier. "Philadelphia" is fully spelled out on the reverse of the Dos Decimos de Sucre minted for Ecuador in 1895!

The portrait of Queen Wilhelmina used on the Dutch coinage changed as the Queen aged. At the time these coins were struck, the Queen was 61 years old and was living in exile in England. The third style of her left facing portrait which dominates the obverse of this coin, was first used in 1921 when she was just 41 years old.

This particular coin is a very nice example of this dual country issue and is the finest graded by NGC. It is also the plate coin for the NGC price guide.

Date acquired: 7/26/2014 (raw coin)
Date graded: 9/18/2015 (self submitted to NGC)

Rev. 12/5/2018
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