Owner Comments:
Mintage: 7,283,000
Composition: Bronze (95% copper, 5% zinc and tin)
Weight: 4.7000g (80 Grains)
Diameter: 24mm
Mint Mark: None
When the Manila Mint opened in July 1920 it took over production of One Centavo coins for the U.S. Territory of the Philippines. Prior to that time One Centavo coins had been manufactured in the continental United States at either the Philadelphia or San Francisco Mints and transported to the Philippines. The One Centavo coins struck at the Manila Mint from 1920 through 1922 used the same obverse and reverse design as the 1903 - 1919 One Centavo and was struck to the same specifications. A notable feature of the 1920(M), 1921(M), and 1922(M) One Centavo is that they have no Mint Mark.
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.
This beautiful GEM is 70% red, some blue toning and great eye appeal. The 1921 (M) One Centavo is a tough date to find in GEMUNC.
The NGC population for this coin in MS65 RB is only 5 specimens with none graded higher. NGC has graded no red specimens of this date in any grade. Combined NGC/PCGS Population 5/1 (12/01/2013).