Owner Comments:
KM-14 - Culion Leper Colony, Philippine Commission of Public Health - 1913 One Peso - Mintage: 8,600
Struck in Aluminum on a thick planchet with a diameter of 35.4mm.
"P" in Peso over third "P" in PHILIPPINES.
Allen C-6b
McFadden #: 758 (Type III)
Basso #: (no actual number for this variety, closest is 230)
Shafer #: SL-6
This coin is part of the first issue of coins minted for the colony in 1913 by the private firm of Frank & Company in Manila. The six denominations in this first issue were 1/2C, 1C, 5C, 10C, 20C, and Peso, all minted in Aluminum with the same simple design. The obverse is composed of the denomination surrounded by the text "CULION LEPER COLONY" above and "PHILIPPINE ISLANDS" below. The reverse consists of a rather crude rendering of a Caduceus as the central element surrounded by the words "BUREAU OF HEALTH," two separating stars and the date. All of the reference sources (except McFadden) designate the obverse and reverse this way, but NGC places the reverse facing the front of the holder. I personally prefer the NGC designation, but will go with the majority of the reference books for consistency.
Aluminum coinage did not hold up well in the hot and humid climate of the Philippines, and the coins were cleaned with chemicals, so it is not surprising that this coin received a details grade due to environmental damage. Pitting from corrosion is evident on both sides of the coin.
Varieties:
Both Basso and Krause acknowledge that Pesos were produced on both thick and thin planchets. Krause applies the same KM number to both, whereas Basso identifies coins minted on a thick planchet as # 230 and those on a thin planchet as 230a. McFadden identifies three distinct varieties, backed up with pictures, and I consider this to be the definitive source. The three varieties share a common reverse and are described as follows:
• Type I (McFadden-756, Basso-230, Allen-C-6) - Thick planchet, 2mm. Obverse: "P" in Peso over third "I" in PHILIPPINES. Legend near to stars, about 1mm.
• Type II (McFadden-757, Basso-230a, Allen-C-6a) - Thin planchet, 1.5mm. Obverse: "P" in Peso over third "I" in PHILIPPINES. Legend near to stars, about 1mm.
• Type III (McFadden-758, Allen-C-6b) - (this coin) Thick planchet, 2mm. Obverse: "P" in Peso over third "P" in PHILIPPINES. Legend far to stars, about 1.5mm.
It is fortunate that NGC now publishes population figures for details graded coins. Surprisingly, the majority of those that have been sent to NGC for certification have not received a details grade.
Date acquired: 4/4/2011 (raw coin)
Date graded: 8/22/2013 (self submitted to NGC)
References:
• "United States Territorial Coinage for the Philippine Islands" by Neil Shafer, Whitman Publishing Company Racine, Wisconsin, 1961: 41-45
• "Coins, Medals and Tokens of the Philippines 1728-1974" by Aldo P. Basso, second edition Bookman Printing House, Quezon City, 1975: 76-80
• "The Numismatic Aspects of Leprosy" by R.R. McFadden, J. Grost, and D.F. Marr, D.C. McDonald Associates, Inc., 1993: 58-69
• "Standard Catalog of World Coins" by Krause & Mischler (Identifies coins by their "KM" number 1-18 and A5.)
Rev. 6/14/2024