Hello again - hope you all are enjoying the last few hours of a gorgeous fall weekend. Had a moment to finally get around to imaging a two-coin set I've had for a long while: "Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur Defender and Liberator of the Philippines" This set contains a BU example of the 1 Peso (100k mintage; .900 fine silver; .5787 oz ASW) and the 50 Centavos (200k mintage; .750 fine silver; .2411 oz ASW.) The 1 Peso has excellent luster (so much so that it was a bit difficult to image today) and a ton of die scratches/polish marks: The 50 Centavos has a lovely ring of toning forming on the outer rim (stronger on the reverse) which has muted the luster a bit more than on the 1 Peso. Only recently I also discovered that the 50c is the Allen-R-1a Doubled Die Obverse, which bumps up the value just a bit: Thank you for checking them out - and I'd just like to add (for posterity) that these are not available for sale at this time Feel free to share your examples in the comments.
Beautiful coins and I have a set in my collection. If I am correct, this pair is the first Philippine coin set after independence in 1946. The portrait of McArthur and the shield on the reverse are the perfect definition of "mushy" and certainly not the best work of the US Mint.
Not much of a 'defender'.........if only he'd have beefed up the 'air power' then maybe the outcome in the Philippines might have been a little different. He knew what was coming yet he failed to listen to his staff. Absconding in a submarine and leaving his troops to suffer on Corregidor, I picture him as a scoundrel and an arrogant and puffed up pretentious pompous unmentionable.........but I do like those photogs.
Thanks for posting. I have the 1 peso version. Notoriously poor strike, but for me the historical significance is what matters.
However, the people of the Philippines love him. Here is a commemorative which is a much better example of the work of the mint.
A great warrior who deserves great appreciation for his dedication and life long service to America and the world! A very grateful thank you for the post.
Totally agree... A soldier willing to risk his life to defend the innocent and oppressed, I would not consider a scoundrel and an arrogant and puffed up pretentious pompous unmentionable....... Just saying...
