Owner Comments:
1943 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (JAPANESE PUPPET GOVERNMENT) EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
(JOSE LAUREL & JORGE VARGAS) BRONZE MEDAL
Basso-166, Honeycutt-322
NGC MS64BN (NGC Certification #3024497-002)
Diameter: 44 mm
Weight: 42.21 g
Composition: Bronze
Mintage: 1,500
During the World War ll Japanese Occupation of the Philippines a puppet Philippine Republic was established with Dr. Jose Laurel, who had served as Justice of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Phillippines, as President and Jorde Vargus as Chairman of the Executive Council. This medal was struck to honor the 1943 establishment of the puppet Republic and Executive Council. After the war both Laurel and Vargas were acquitted of collaboration with the Japanese.
The Obverse of the medal depicts facing busts of Laurel and Vargas. Inscriptions are: REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS / 1943 / SANGUNIANG TAGAPAGPAGANAP.
The reverse depicts the historic triangular symbol of the Katipunan revolutionary movement of 1896. Inside the triangle are three stars which represent the three major land masses of the Philippines: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. In the center of the triangle is a sun which represents Liberty. Eminating from the sun are eight rays representing the first eight provinces to rebel against Spain. Inscriptions are:KALAYAAN / KAPAYAPAAN / KATARUNGAN
Purchased in Heritage Auctions 2022 November 14 Milford, N.H. Collection of US Philippine Coinage Showcase Auction #63194, Lot #91213
Encapsulated on 4/2/2007