You know the United States of America defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War. As a result of our victory the Philippines Islands, a territorial possession of Spain became a U.S.A. possession. Picture this: As a U.S.A. possession, the U.S. Mints at Philadelphia and San Francisco began producing coinage for the Philippines in 1903. NOTE: The legend on the reverse "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on these coins (if you're acquiring coins to eventually own a typeset collection of United States coins your collection won't be complete without these Philipines coins: images courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Philippines km162 1/2 Centavo (1903-1908) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...3&desc=Philippines km163 1 Centavo (1903-1936) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...&desc=Philippines km164 5 Centavos (1903-1928) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Philippines km166 20 Centavos (1903-1906) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Philippines km167 50 Centavos (1903-1906) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...-168&desc=Philippines km168 1 Peso (1903-1906) In 1920 Congress mandated the San Francisco Mint open and operate a subsidiary mint in the city of Manila. It was designated as the Manila Mint. The Manila Mint was the first (and only) U.S. Mint ever located outside the Continental United States. It produced coinage for one year(1924). It reopened in 1925 and struck coins until 1941 which is the year Japanese forces invaded the Phillippines. Upon the Allied forces retaking of the Phillipines, the battle was so fierce in Manila, the mint was destroyed. Coinage for the years of 1944 and 1945 were struck at Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. Here's the 1 Centavo: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...9&desc=Philippines km179 1 Centavo (1937-1944) Here's the 5 Centavos: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Philippines km180a 5 Centavos (1937-1945) Here's the 10 centavos: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Philippines km181 10 Centavos (1937-1945) Here's the 20 Centavos: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Philippines km182 20 Centavos (1937-1945) Hee's the 50 Centavos of '44 and '45: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Philippines km183 50 Centavos (1944,1945) Special 50 centavos and 1 Peso coins were struck in 1936 honoring Roosevelt and Quezon. Here's the 1 Peso: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...ines km177 1 Peso (1936) Roosevelt and Quezon The Philippines struck two special coins in 1947 to commemorate General Douglas MacArthur: Here's the 50 Centavos: (notice the "S" San Francisco mint mark) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...184 50 Centavos (1947) Gen. Douglas MacArthur Here's the 1 Peso coin: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...ippines km185 1 Peso (1947) Douglas MacArthur In 1946 the Phillippines were granted independence and became an independent country in its own right. Manila is now the Capital City of the Philippines. Hope you enjoyed this trivia... Clinker
Thanks for another interesting trivia post, Clinker. I wish to add that the smouldering volcano in the background of these coins is Mt. Mayon, located in the southern part of Luzon. It is the most active volcano on the island.
I actually have several of the One Peso silver coins. Never got around to actually doing anything with them in my collection though. Thanks for the post, very informative.
gatzdon With the elimination of business strike silver coins, now is the time to stock up on the silver Pesos... Clinker
Darn! That was the next thing I was going to write! Lol. US-Philippine coins are one of my collecting specialties - I have a *nearly* complete collection, missing only a silver Woodrow Wilson medal and the elusive '06-S Peso. Here's a scan of my 1904 ten centavo, key date!
My avatar is (and has been for a long while) the reverse of one of these silver pesos. I find the design very fascinating and couldn't help but buying one last year at the Madison Coin Club spring coin show....
There's some argument as to what the reverse is and what the obverse is with these coins. Lyman Allen, for example, feels that the side with the date and the eagle is the obverse. If I recall correctly, Neil Shafer feels the opposite.
Yopher Thanks for the accolades, but I'm not a "master," I just like learning new things about coins and sharing my new found knowledge. Clinker
Ahh, but when I learn from you, you are temporarily the "master" and I am the "student". I look forward to the day I can return the favour.
Nice, I have a few Phillipino coins, but never knew about the chop marks. Thanks for the note & picture.
As always, great information and I love reading your trivia postings. Am workiing on my type set of Philippines coins and am only 3 coins away to complete this series. Thanks again for sharing the numismatic history of this island. Regards, Ballabh Garg
bgarg Your type set of Phillipine coins will appreciate very well during the next three years. Good fortune... Clinker