Owner Comments:
Philippines - 1947S MacArthur 50 Centavos - Allen #R-1a (KM #184) - Mintage: 200,000
The Douglas MacArthur 50 Centavos and One Peso coins were the first coinage of the new "Republic of the Philippines." Both of these coins were designed by Laura Gardin Frasier and struck at the San Francisco Mint.
These coins were struck in very shallow relief and can be very difficult to obtain in high grades. This one was quite a find. As of this revision, a truly staggering number of these coins have been graded by NGC. Of the 1,938 graded, the vast majority are MS65 (1,611), 171 have been graded MS66, 7 at the lofty grade of MS67, and only one of those 7 was awarded a Star for exceptional eye appeal. PCGS has graded only 227 with just one at MS67.
This is THE finest 1947S MacArthur 50 Centavos graded by either NGC or PCGS and as of this revision, one of only three graded by NGC with a Star designation. On top of that, this coin appears to me to be the R-1a doubled die obverse variety. To the right and just below MacArthur's chin, the letters "DOU" in DOUGLAS and the letters "ARTHUR" are noticeably doubled with the second strike slightly down and to the right of the first. It is unfortunate that NGC does not notate the varieties for this coin on the label.
Varieties:
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ALLEN-R-1 - Normal obverse and reverse.
ALLEN-R-1a - Doubled die obverse. (This coin) To the right and just below MacArthur's chin, the letters "DOU" in DOUGLAS and the letters "ARTHUR" are noticeably doubled. This variety is recognized by PCGS, but not by NGC.
ALLEN-R-1b - Doubled die reverse. The two right stars on the shield show doubling at the bottom and the 7 of the date is slightly doubled. This variety may be recognized by PCGS, but not by NGC.
ALLEN-R-1c - Doubled die obverse and reverse. This is a combination of R-1a and R-1b. This variety may be recognized by PCGS, but not by NGC.
Date acquired: 4/10/2014 (Already graded by NGC)
Rev. 1/1/2018