Owner Comments:
Lyman Allen #2.05 (KM #163) - Mintage: 500
No Centavos, 5 Centavos, or Proof Sets were produced in 1907 due to the high demand for new reduced size silver coinage in 1907. As in 1906, the 1908 proof sets were not made to order. 500 sets were authorized to be struck to satisfy whatever numismatic interest might exist for these sets. The 1908 sets were also available for purchase from the Bureau of Insular Affairs into the early 1930's. Due to the poor sales of proof sets in 1905, 1906, and 1908, future proof coinage was discontinued making this the last of the proof centavos.
The seven coin Philippine proof sets were produced at the Philadelphia mint from 1903 through 1908 (excluding 1907), and were sold to the general public for $2.00 per set. At the time these sets were produced, there was no protective packaging. Each coin was individually wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a plain paper coin envelope. As a result, many proof coins exhibit micro thin hairline scratches as well as heavy toning. When combined with very low mintages and low initial sales to the public, it's easy to see why fully gem proof coins are very rare.
This coin exhibits great eye appeal and is a very pleasing Red-Brown example of this rare date.
It is interesting to note that the date on the 1908 proof Centavo is noticeably larger and of a different style than that found on the 1908S production strikes.
Date acquired: 11/25/2006 (already graded by NGC)
References:
- Shafer, N. "United States Territorial Coinage for the Philippine Islands." Racine, Wisconsin: Whitman Publishing Company, 1961.
Rev. 12/7/2015