The United States Manila Mint, Complete
1920 - 50 Centavos (Mintage: 420,000)

Owner Comments:

Mintage: 420,000
Composition: Silver
Fineness: 0.7500
Weight: 10.0000g (154.32 grains)
ASW: 0.2411oz
Diameter: 27.5 mm
Edge: Reeded
Mint Mark: None

When the Manila Mint opened in July 1920 it took over production of Fifty Centavo coins for the U.S. Territory of the Philippines. Prior to that time Fifty Centavo coins had been manufactured in the continental United States at either the Philadelphia or San Francisco Mints and transported to the Philippines. The Fifty Centavos struck at the Manila Mint in 1920 and 1921 used the same obverse and reverse designs as the 1907 - 1919 Fifty Centavos and were struck to the same specifications. A notable feature of the 1920(M) and 1921(M) Fifty Centavos was that they had no Mint Mark.

The obverse design by Melicio Figueroa features a young Filipino woman standing to the right in a flowing dress while striking an anvil with a hammer held in her right hand, the left hand is raised and holding an olive branch. In the background is a billowing volcano. The reverse design, also by Melicio Figueroa, depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield.

The NGC population for the 1920 Fifty Centavos in MS64 is 3 coins with none graded higher. The combined NGC/PCGS population is 13/1 (12/01/2013).

This attractive NGC Top Pop example of the 1920 Fifty Centavos is from the "Just Having Fun Collection".