Owner Comments:
Mint: Manila
Mint Mark: M
Mintage: 20,000
Designer: Ambrosio Morales
Composition: Silver
Fineness: 0.7500
Weight: 10.0000 grams (154.32 grains)
ASW: 0.2411oz
Diameter: 27.5mm
Edge: Reeded
In 1936 the Manila Mint produced a set of three coins to commemorate the founding of the Commonwealth Of The Philippines on November 15,1935. The set consisted of a Fifty Centavos, and two One Peso Coins. The coins were designed by Ambrosio Morales, a Professor of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines. The two commemorative Pesos were struck in .800 fineness silver. The Fifty Centavos was struck in .750 fineness silver. The three coin set had a face value of 2.5 Pesos, equal to $1.25 in U.S. Dollars, and sold for $3.13.
The obverse design of the Murphy-Quezon Fifty Centavos features portraits of the first Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon and U.S. Governor General Frank Murphy. The reverse design depicts the official seal of "The Commonwealth of the Philippines". The actual number of existing Murphy-Quezon Fifty Centavos is far less than the mintage figures would suggest as many of these coins were crated and thrown into Manila Bay, near Corregidor, in 1942 to avoid seizure by the invading forces of Japan.
This Superb Gem is boldly struck and lightly colored with an icy mint tone that evenly bathes the surfaces. It is the single-finest certified example of the Murphy-Quezon Fifty Centavos.
NGC PHOTO PROOF STATEMENT REGARDING THIS SPECIMEN
"Only 20,000 pieces were coined of this coin commemorating The Philippines' achievement of Commonwealth status within the United States, all struck at the Manila Mint. An unknown number were destroyed in 1942 to prevent capture by the advancing Japanese Army. The design features facung portraits of outgoing Governor-General Frank Murphy and incoming President manuel quezon. This astounding specimen is the single finest example certified by NGC (11-21). It displays bright, satiny fields gently covered in warm shades of blue-green and gold."
Purchased in Heritage 2020 January 21 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Signature Online Auction #3082, Lot #34638.
NGC Population: 1/0 (11/25/2020)
PCGS Population: 0/0 (11/25/2020)
Combined NGC/PCGS Population: 1/0 (11/25/2020)