US Philippines Peso Silver Coin 1908

US Philippines One Peso Silver Coin 1908-S

Obverse: 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 Mayon Volcano.
Lettering: "ONE PESO" and "FILIPINAS" (Spanish for Philippines).
Engraver: Melecio Figueroa

Reverse: Bald Eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield.
Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ·1908·

S – stands for San Francisco Mint.
Years: 1907-1912.
Value: One Peso.
Metal: Silver (.800).
Weight: 20 g.
Diameter: 35 mm.
Shape: Round.

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands

The Philippines under U.S. Sovereignty 1898 – 1935

Half Centavo      One Centavo      5 Centavos      10 Centavos   

20 Centavos          50 Centavos          One Peso

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands:

 The Reduced Size and Weight One Peso of 1907 - 1912

  When the U.S. Congress established the Standards for U.S. Philippine coins in March 1903 the price of silver was at an all time low. By 1905 rising silver prices brought the bullion value of Philippine silver coins to the level where they were beginning to disappear from circulation. By November 1906 the bullion value of Philippine silver coins had risen to 13.2% over their face value. Laws prohibiting the melting and export of silver coins proved largely ineffective and something had to be done.
  On December 6, 1906 the U.S. Congress passed an Act "for the purpose of preventing the melting and exportation of the silver coins of the Philippine Islands as a result of the high price of silver". The Act reduced the weight and fineness of the four denominations of USA/Philippine silver coins. It also granted authority to recall all USA-Philippine silver coins from banks and circulation and ship them back to the United States for re-coining into pieces of lesser fineness.
  Under the new standards the silver One Peso coin was reduced from 26.95 Grams (416 grains), of .900 fineness silver (ASW .7800 oz.) to 20.00 grams (308.64 grains), of .800 fineness silver (ASW .5144 oz.). The size of the Peso was also reduced from 38 mm to 35 mm. The first year of production for the new "Reduced Size and Weight" silver coins was 1907.
  The Reduced Size and Weight One Peso uses the same obverse and reverse designs that were used on earlier Pesos. The One Peso was designed by Filipino artist Melicio Figueroa. The obverse design 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. Her left hand is raised and holding an olive branch. In the background is a billowing volcano. The obverse carries the inscriptions "One Peso" and "Filipinas" (Spanish for Philippines). The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. The reverse carries the inscription "United States of America" and the date.
  Business strikes of the Reduced Size and Weight One Peso were made at the San Francisco Mint from 1907 through 1912. Mintage figures for business strikes of the Reduced Size and Weight One Peso are as follows: 1907-S (10,278,000), 1908-S (20,954,944), 1909-S (7,578,000), 1910-S (3,153,559), 1911-S (463,000), and 1912-S (680,000).
  Since U.S. mints had to replace nearly all of the Islands silver coinage in 1907 it was not felt that there were enough resources to make 1907 Proof Sets. When Proof Set production resumed in 1908 all of the silver coins, including the 1908 One Peso, were struck in the newly authorized reduced weight and fineness. 1908 was the last year of production for Philippine Proof coins and the only year that the reduced size and weight One Peso was struck in Proof. The 1908 (P) One Peso is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of 500 coins.
  All business strikes of the Reduced Size and Weight One Peso were made at the San Francisco Mint and have an "S" mint mark on the reverse to the left of the date. The 1908 One Peso Proof issue was struck at the Philadelphia Mint has no Mint Mark.
  Like the U.S. Silver Dollar the Philippine One Peso coin did not see wide use in daily commerce as most people preferred the convince of paper money for their larger transactions. The vast majority of 1907 - 1912 One Peso coins were stored in the vaults of the Insular Treasury as backing for Philippine paper currency.
  When Japan invaded the Philippines during World War ll it soon became apparent that the outnumbered U.S. and Philippine defenders could not adequately defend the capital. Manila was declared an open city to spare it from destruction by the Japanese and USAFFE (United States Army Forces Far East) forces withdrew to defensive positions on the Bataan peninsula and the island fortresses in Manila Bay.
  In order to prevent the gold and silver reserves of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from being captured by the Japanese, government officials hastily crated the gold and silver in the Philippine Treasury and moved it to the relative safety of the island fortress of Corregidor.
  During the siege of Corregidor U.S. submarines, outward bound on war patrol out of Pearl Harbor, would sneak through the Japanese naval blockade to bring in supplies and ammunition. After unloading their previous supplies they would take on as much gold and silver as they could cram into their storage spaces and ballast tanks. Then under cover of darkness they would break through the Japanese naval blockade and continue on their war patrols. Upon completion of their war patrols the gold and silver was off loaded at Pearl Harbor where it was transferred to surface ships for shipment to the safety of the continental United States.
  While most of the gold was successfully evacuated by submarine there was far too much silver for the subs to take out in their limited storage areas. Sixteen million Pesos (the equivalent of eight million U.S. Dollars) in silver coins could not be evacuated. In order to prevent the remaining silver coins from being captured by the Japanese they were dumped into Manila Bay. The majority of these coins were 1907 through 1912 Pesos that were being stored for use as backing for the paper money then in circulation. Since the war over 10 million Pesos have been salvaged however these sea salvaged coins are typically heavily corroded from their long immersion in salt water.
  Die Varieties: The Reduced Size and Weight One Peso has three recognized die varieties. They are: 1908-S/S (Allen number 17.03a), and 1909-S/S (Allen number 17.04a), and 1909-S/S/S (Allen number 17.04b).
  Strike Issues: "Some but not all obverses come with flattened frontal hair, and occasionally a flattened left hand. Reverses do not have clearly defined breast feathers on the eagle. Some reverses will show uneven striking." (Shafer, 1961. Page 40)
  GEM quality examples of most dates of this type coin are both rare and expensive. The least expensive dates are the 1907-S (book value $850.00 in MS65), 1908-S (book value $1,800.00 in MS65), and 1909-S (book value $1,200.00 in MS65). Choice Uncirculated examples are considerably less expensive. The 1907-S, 1908-S and 1909-S have book values of $225.00 to $250.00 in MS63.

US Philippines 50 Centavos Silver Coin 1920

Philippines US Administration 50 Centavos Silver Coin 1920

Obverse: 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 Mayon Volcano.
Lettering: "FIFTY CENTAVOS" and "FILIPINAS" (Spanish for Philippines).
Engraver: Melecio Figueroa.

Reverse: Bald Eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield.
Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1920.

No Mint Mark – Philadelphia Mint.
Years: 1907-1921.
Value: 50 Centavos.
Metal: Silver (.750).
Weight: 10 g.
Diameter: 27.5 mm.
Shape: Round.

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands

The Philippines under U.S. Sovereignty 1898 – 1935

Half Centavo      One Centavo      5 Centavos      10 Centavos   

20 Centavos          50 Centavos          One Peso

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands:

 The Reduced Size and Weight Fifty Centavos of 1907 - 1921

  When the U.S. Congress established the Standards for U.S. Philippine coins in March 1903 the price of silver was at an all time low. By 1905 rising silver prices brought the bullion value of Philippine silver coins to the level where they were beginning to disappear from circulation. By November 1906 the bullion value of Philippine silver coins had risen to 13.2% over their face value. Laws prohibiting the melting and export of silver coins proved largely ineffective and something had to be done.
  On December 6, 1906 the U.S. Congress passed an Act "for the purpose of preventing the melting and exportation of the silver coins of the Philippine Islands as a result of the high price of silver". The Act reduced the weight and fineness of the four denominations of USA/Philippine silver coins. It also granted authority to recall all USA-Philippine silver coins from banks and circulation and ship them back to the United States for re-coining into pieces of lesser fineness.
  Under the new standards the silver Fifty Centavos coin was reduced from 13.48  Grams (208 grains), of .900 fineness silver (ASW 0.3900 oz.) to 10.0 grams (154.32 grains), of .750 fineness silver (ASW .2411oz.). The size of the Fifty Centavos was also reduced from 30 mm to 27 mm. The first year of production for the new "Reduced Size and Weight" silver coins was 1907.
  The Reduced Size and Weight Fifty Centavos uses the same obverse and reverse designs that were used on earlier Fifty Centavos. The Fifty Centavos was designed by Filipino artist Melicio Figueroa. The obverse design 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. Her left hand is raised and holding an olive branch. In the background is a billowing volcano. The obverse carries the inscriptions "Fifty Centavos" and "Filipinas" (Spanish for Philippines). The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. The reverse carries the inscription "United States of America" and the date. Fifty Centavos struck at the Philadelphia and Manila Mints have no mint mark. All of the Fifty Centavos made at the San Francisco Mint have an "S" mint mark on the reverse to the left of the date.
  Business strikes of the reduced size and weight Fifty Centavos were struck at both the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints in 1907. In 1908 and 1909 all of the Fifty Centavos business strikes were produced at the San Francisco Mint. No Fifty Centavos were produced anywhere from 1910 through 1916. In 1917 Fifty Centavos production resumed at the San Francisco Mint where it continued through 1919. In 1920 Fifty Centavos production shifted to the newly opened Manila Mint. Fifty Centavos were produced at the Manila Mint in 1920 and 1921.
  Since U.S. mints had to replace nearly all of the Islands silver coinage in 1907 it was not felt that there were enough resources to make 1907 Proof Sets. When Proof Set production resumed in 1908 all of the silver coins, including the 1908 Fifty Centavos, were struck in the newly authorized reduced weight and fineness. 1908 was the last year of production for Philippine Proof coins and the only year that the reduced size and weight Fifty Centavos was struck in Proof. The 1908 (P) Fifty Centavos is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of 500 coins.
  Mintage figures for business strikes of the Reduced Size and Weight Fifty Centavos are as follows: 1907-(P) (1,250,625), 1907-S (2,112,000), 1908-S (1,601,000), 1909-S (528,000), 1917-S (674,369), 1918-S (2,202,000), 1919-S (1,200,000), 1920-(M) (420,000), 1921-(M) (2,316,763).
  Die Varieties: The Reduced Size and Weight Fifty Centavos has two recognized die varieties. They are: 1917-S Broken 7 (Allen number 14.06a), and 1918-S Inverted S (Allen number 14.07a).
  Strike Issues: The 1907 - 1921 Fifty Centavos have numerous strike issues. "Obverses (including Proofs of 1908) come with considerably flat frontal hair just above (the) ear, and may also show flattening of the figure's left hand. The barren appearance of the abdomen and left leg on an uncirculated piece creates an impression that the coin has already been in use. Reverses are quite unevenly struck; this is noted clearly by the top part of the shield which has a depressed middle and raised sides. The right side is slightly higher than the left, and may show a little flattening." (Shafer 1961 pages 39 - 40)
  GEM quality examples of most dates of this type coin are both rare and expensive. The least expensive dates are the 1918-S and 1919-S which have book values of $750.00 in MS65. Although the Allen Catalog lists MS65 book values of $500.00 and $400.00 respectably for the 1920 (M) and 1921 (M) Fifty Centavos these values are largely theoretical as true Gem examples of these dates are virtually unknown. Mint State 64 is the top grade for the 1920 (M) and only one 1921 (M) has been graded higher than MS64.
  Choice Uncirculated examples of the above dates are considerably less expensive. The 1918-S and 1919-S have book values of $200.00 in MS63. The 1920 (M) has a book value of $125.00 in MS63 and the 1921 (M) has a MS63 book value of $70.00.

US Philippines 10 Centavos Silver Coin 1903

Philippines US Administration 10 Centavos Silver Coin 1903

Obverse: 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 Mayon Volcano.
Lettering: "TEN CENTAVOS" and "FILIPINAS" (Spanish for Philippines).
Engraver: Melecio Figueroa

Reverse: Bald Eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield.
Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1903

No Mint Mark – Philadelphia Mint
Years 1907-1935.
Value 10 Centavos.
Metal Silver (.750).
Weight 2 g.
Diameter 17 mm.
Thickness 0.96 mm.
Shape Round.

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands

The Philippines under U.S. Sovereignty 1898 – 1935

Half Centavo      One Centavo      5 Centavos      10 Centavos   

20 Centavos          50 Centavos          One Peso

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands:

 The Ten Centavos of 1903 - 1906

The Ten Centavos was designed by Filipino artist Melicio Figueroa and engraved by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The obverse design 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 obverse carries the inscriptions "Ten Centavos" and "Filipinas" (Spanish for Philippines). The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. The reverse carries the inscription "United States of America" and the date.
  The 1903 -- 1906 Ten Centavos has a diameter of 17.5 mm and a weight of 2.69 grams (41.55 grains) of .900 fineness silver (ASW 0.0779oz).
  Business strikes of the Ten Centavos were produced at the Philadelphia Mint in 1903 (5,102,658) and 1904 (10,000), and the San Francisco Mint in 1903 (1,200,000), and 1904 (5,040,000).
  All of the 1904 (P) business strikes were produced as part of a Special Mint Set of USA-Philippine silver coins (Ten Centavos, Twenty Centavos, Fifty Centavos, and One Peso) struck specifically for sale at the Philippine Exhibit at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition (World Fair) in St. Louis. Of the 10,000 sets produced for this purpose 3254 were sold at the 1904 World Fair. Another 500 sets were sold by the Philippine Treasury in Manila. The remaining 6246 sets were placed in circulation as ordinary coins.
  A limited number of Proof Ten Centavos were produced at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1906. The mintage figures for proof Ten Centavos is as follows: 1903 (2,558), 1904 (1,355), 1905 (471), and 1906 (500). The 1905, and 1906 Ten Centavos are PROOF ONLY ISSUES.
  The business and proof coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint have no mint mark. Business strikes produced at the San Francisco Mint have an "S" mint mark on the reverse to the left of the date.
  The Ten Centavos of 1903 through 1906 has a silver content equal to the U.S. Barber Dime. With an official exchange rate of two Philippine Pesos to one U.S. dollar it was not long before the value of the silver content in the Ten Centavos exceeded its face value and many were melted during the great silver melts of the period. In 1906 the silver coins held in reserve by the Treasury were sent back to the U.S. for re-coinage into the reduced size and weight pieces which followed in 1907. Lyman Allen estimates that less than 20% of all 1903-1906 silver coinages exist today in any grade.
  Despite the large number of coins that were lost to melting type coin collectors should find it relatively easy to find well struck choice uncirculated examples of the 1903 (P) or 1904-S business strike for less than one hundred dollars. Gem quality examples of those dates are more difficult to find but moderately priced. The least expensive Gem quality Type coin would be the 1903 (P) business strike which has a book value of $200.00 in MS65.
  Strike Issues: These pieces are generally well struck, although some of the business strikes may show slight weakness of features. First strikings of the 1904 (P) Ten Centavos may appear proof-like in quality and appearance.

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands: The Reduced Size and Weight Ten Centavos of 1907 - 1935

  When the U.S. Congress established the Standards for U.S. Philippine coins in March 1903 the price of silver was at an all time low. By 1905 rising silver prices brought the bullion value of Philippine silver coins to the level where they were beginning to disappear from circulation. By November 1906 the bullion value of Philippine silver coins had risen to 13.2% over their face value. Laws prohibiting the melting and export of silver coins proved largely ineffective and something had to be done.
  On December 6, 1906 the U.S. Congress passed an Act "for the purpose of preventing the melting and exportation of the silver coins of the Philippine Islands as a result of the high price of silver". The Act reduced the weight and fineness of the four denominations of USA/Philippine silver coins. It also granted authority to recall all USA-Philippine silver coins from banks and circulation and ship them back to the United States for re-coining into pieces of lesser fineness.
  Under the new standards the silver Ten Centavos coin was reduced from 2.69 Grams (41.55 grains), of .900 fineness silver (ASW 0.0779 oz.) to 2.0 grams (30.86 grains), of .750 fineness silver (ASW 0.0482 oz.). The size of the Ten Centavos was also reduced from 17.5 mm to 16.5 mm. The first year of production for the new "Reduced Size and Weight" silver coins was 1907.
  The Reduced Size and Weight Ten Centavos uses same obverse and reverse designs that were used on earlier Ten Centavos. The Ten Centavos was designed by Filipino artist Melicio Figueroa. The obverse design 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 obverse carries the inscriptions "Ten Centavos" and "Filipinas" (Spanish for Philippines). The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. The reverse carries the inscription "United States of America" and the date.
  Ten Centavos struck at the Philadelphia Mint have no mint mark. All of the Ten Centavos made at the San Francisco Mint have an "S" mint mark on the reverse to the left of the date. The Ten Centavos struck at the Manila Mint in 1920 and 1921 carry no mint mark. Starting in 1925 all Ten Centavos made by the Manila Mint have an "M" mint mark on the reverse to the left of the date.
  Business strikes of the reduced size and weight Ten Centavos were struck at both the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints in 1907. From 1908 through 1915 business strikes of the Ten Centavos were made exclusively at the San Francisco Mint. No Ten Centavos were produced anywhere during 1916. Ten Centavos production resumed at the San Francisco Mint in 1917 and continued there through 1919. In 1920 Ten Centavos production shifted to the newly opened Manila Mint. Ten Centavos were produced at the Manila Mint in 1920, and 1921. No Ten Centavos were produced anywhere from 1922 through 1928. Business strikes of the Ten Centavos were made at the Manila Mint in 1929 then discontinued until 1935.
  Since U.S. mints had to replace nearly all of the Islands silver coinage in 1907 it was not felt that there were enough resources to make 1907 Proof Sets. When Proof Set production resumed in 1908 all of the silver coins, including the 1908 Ten Centavos, were struck in the newly authorized reduced weight and fineness. 1908 was the last year of production for Philippine Proof coins and the only year that the reduced size and weight Ten Centavos was struck in Proof. The 1908 Proof Ten Centavos had a mintage of 500 coins.
  Mintage figures for business strikes of the Reduced Size and Weight Ten Centavos is as follows: 1907-(P) (1,500,781), 1907-S (4,930,000), 1908-S (3,363,911), 1909-S (312,199), 1910-S (?), 1911-S (1,010,505), 1912-S (1,010,000), 1913-S (1,360,693), 1914-S (1,180,000), 1915-S (450,000), 1917-S (5,991,148), 1918-S (8,420,000), 1919-S (1,630,000), 1920-(M) (520,000), 1921-(M) (3,863,038), 1929-M (1,000,000), and 1935-M (1,280,000).
  According to official mint figures no Ten Centavos were made in 1910. It has been unofficially estimated that five to ten 1910-S Ten Centavos may have been struck and one was reliably reported to have been seen in the Manila mint collection prior to World War ll. That specimen was lost when the Manila Mint was destroyed during the war and today there are no know surviving examples of the 1910-S Ten Centavos.
  The Reduced Size and Weight Ten Centavos has ten recognized die varieties. They are: 1907-S/S (Allen number 8.02a), 1908-S/S (Allen number 8.04a), 1908-S Inverted S (Allen number 8.04c), 1912-S/S (Allen number 8.08a), 1913-S/S (Allen number 8.09a), 1914-S Short Crossbar 4 (Allen number 8.10a), 1914-S Long Crossbar 4 (Allen number 8.10b), 1915-S/S (Allen number 8.11a), 1917-S Repunched 1, High Mint Mark (Allen number 8.12a), and 1929-M Repunched Date (Allen number 8.17a).
  Strike Issues: This type of Ten Centavos is generally well struck. Some obverses may be seen with slight flattening of the hair just above the ear, possibly including the upper part of the figure. Very occasionally a reverse will have some flattening of the eagle's breast feathers.
  Moderately priced GEM quality examples of this type coin can be found in the following dates; 1918-S, 1921 (M), 1929-M, and 1935-M.

US Philippines 5 Centavos Silver Coin 1917

US Philippines 5 Centavos Silver Coin 1917

Obverse: A young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised, and in the background to his left is a billowing Mayon Volcano.
Lettering: "FIVE CENTAVOS" and "FILIPINAS" (Spanish for Philippines).

Reverse: Bald Eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield, date below
Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA · 1917 ·
Edge: Lettering: Smooth.

“S” – stands for San Francisco Mint
Years: 1903-1928.
Value: 5 Centavos.
Metal: Copper-nickel.
Weight: 5.25 g.
Diameter: 21.3 mm.
Thickness: 1.68 mm.
Shape: Round.

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands

The Philippines under U.S. Sovereignty 1898 – 1935

Half Centavo      One Centavo      5 Centavos      10 Centavos   

20 Centavos          50 Centavos          One Peso

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands: The Five Centavos of 1903 - 1928

  The coins in this slot include business strikes in twelve dates, five dates with proof issues, and three recognized die varieties including the famous 1918-S MULE.
  The Five Centavos was designed by Filipino artist Melicio Figueroa and engraved by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The obverse design shows a young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised, and in the background to his left is a billowing volcano. The obverse carries the inscriptions "Five Centavos" and "Filipinas" (Spanish for Philippines). The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. The reverse carries the inscription "United States of America" and the date.
  The Five Centavos was struck in Copper-Nickel (75% copper, 25%). It had a weigh of 77.16 Grains (5.25 grams) and a diameter of 20.5 mm.
  Business strikes of the Five Centavos were produced at the Philadelphia Mint in 1903 and 1904. The Philadelphia mint made 8,910,000 Five Centavos business strikes in 1903 and 1,075,000 in 1904.
  A limited number of Proof Five Centavos were produced at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1906 and again in 1908. The mintage figures for proof Five Centavos is as follows: 1903 (2,558), 1904 (1,355), 1905 (471), 1906 (500), and 1908 (500). The 1905, 1906, and 1908 Five Centavos are PROOF ONLY ISSUES.
  The business and proof coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint have no mint mark.
  No Five Centavos business strikes were made during the years 1905 through 1915.
  In 1916 production of Five Centavos business strikes resumed, this time at the San Francisco Mint. The San Francisco Mint struck Five Centavos business strikes every year from 1916 through 1919. The coins produced at the San Francisco Mint have an "S" Mint Mark on the reverse to the left of the date.
  Mintage figures for the Five Centavos business strikes produced at the San Francisco Mint are as follows: 1916-S (300,000), 1917-S (2,300,000), 1918-S (2,780,000), and 1919-S (1,220,000).
  In July, 1920, the newly opened United States Manila Branch Mint took over Five Centavos production. The Manila Mint did not use a mint-mark on its Five Centavos coinage of 1920, and 1921. No Five Centavos were struck anywhere during 1922, 1923, and 1924. Five Centavos production resumed at the Manila Mint in 1925. The Manila Mint produced Five Centavos business strikes every year from 1925 through 1928. The 1925 through 1928 Five Centavos have an "M" Mint Mark on the reverse to the left of the date.
  Mintage figures for the Five Centavos business strikes produced at the Manila Mint are as follows: 1920 (1,421,078), 1921 (2,131,529), 1925-M (1,000,000), 1926-M (1,200,000), 1927-M (1,000,000), and 1928-M (1,000,000).
  The 1903 - 1925 Five Centavos have three recognized die varieties, all of which occurred in 1918. They are the 1918-S Repunched Date (Allen number 4.08a), 1918-S/S (Allen number 4.08aa), and the famous 1918-S MULE (Allen number 4.08b).
  The 1918-S Mule was produced when a Twenty Centavo reverse die was mistakenly combined with a normal Five Centavos obverse die. The 1907 - 1929 Twenty Centavos used the same reverse design as the 1903 - 1925 Five Centavos and had a diameter which was only .5 mm smaller so it is easy to see how this error occurred. The 1918-S Mule has a smaller date and wider shield than the regular Five Centavos. The 1918-S Five Centavo Mule is one of the rarest and most sought after USA-Philippine coins.
  Strike Issues: According to the classical reference book "United States Territorial Coinage For The Philippine Islands" by Neil Shafer: "Obverses of the later S mint issues (1918-1919) are often weakly struck, causing much loss of detail. The first year of Manila issues, 1920, shows a great lack of rim sharpness and overall detail on a great many pieces. Wing tips on the reverse are occasionally seen flatly struck." (Shafer, 1961, p.38)
  The 1903 business strike was the only date that was produced in quantity. This, combined with the fact that it was a first year of issue and many were saved by collectors, make it the easiest date for type coin collectors to find in Gem Uncirculated. A certified 1903 Five Centavos in MS65 can generally be purchased for around $100.00. Gem quality 1904 business strikes are only slightly more expensive.
  All of the San Francisco and Manila issues are scarce in Choice Uncirculated and rare in Gem quality. In fact some of the dates have no known examples in MS65 or above.

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands: The Reduced Size & Weight Five Centavos of 1930 - 1935.

The coins in this slot include business strikes in five dates, and four recognized die varieties. All of the 1930 - 1935 Five Centavos were struck at the Manila mint and have an "M" Mint Mark on the reverse to the left of the date.
  In 1930 the Five Centavos was reduced in size from a diameter of 20.5mm to 19mm. The weight was also reduced from 77.16 Grains (5.25 grams) to 75.16 Grains (4.75 grams). The Reduced Size & Weight Five Centavos was struck in the same Copper-Nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) alloy used for earlier Five Centavos.
  The reason for the reduction in size was to avoid confusion with two similar size coins the Reduced Size & Weight Twenty Centavos of 1907 - 1929 and the Culion Leper Colony One Centavo.
  In 1906 Congress passed an Act reducing the weight and fineness of the four denominations of USA/Philippine silver coins. Among these changes the silver Twenty Centavos coin was reduced from 5.385 Grams, .900 fineness silver, ASW .15580 oz to 4.0 grams, 750 fineness silver, ASW .0964 oz. The size of the Twenty Centavos was also reduced from 23mm to 20mm. The first year of production for the new "Reduced Size and Weight" silver coins was 1907.
  Since the 1903 - 1928 Five Centavos (20.5mm diameter) was so close in size to the new "Reduced Size and Weight" Twenty Centavos (20.0 mm diameter) mistakes were bound to follow. Inattentive merchants or consumers could easily find themselves shortchanged by fifteen Centavos. The confusion even extended to mint employees. In 1918 the San Francisco mint accidentally Muled a Five Centavos obverse die with a Twenty Centavos reverse die creating the famous 1918-S Five Centavos Mule.
  The Reduced Size and Weight Five Centavos of 1930 - 1935 uses the same obverse and reverse designs as the larger 1903 - 1928 Five Centavos. The Five Centavos was designed by Filipino artist Melicio Figueroa and engraved by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The obverse design shows a young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised, and in the background to his left is a billowing volcano. The obverse carries the inscriptions "Five Centavos" and "Filipinas" (Spanish for Philippines). The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. The reverse carries the inscription "United States of America" and the date.
  Mintage figures for the 1930 - 1935 Five Centavos are as follows: 1930-M (2,905,182), 1931-M (3,476,790), 1932-M (3,955,861), 1934-M (2,153,729), and 1935-M (2,754,000).
  The 1930 - 1935 Five Centavos have four recognized die varieties. They are the 1930-M Repunched Date (Allen number 5.01a), 1934-M Repunched 1 (Allen number 5.04a), 1934-M Double Die Reverse and Repunched 1 (Allen number 5.04aa), and the 1935-M Repunched Date (Allen number 5.05a).
  Strike Issues: The Reduced Size & Weight Five Centavos have a number of significant strike issues. According to the classical reference book "United States Territorial Coinage For The Philippine Islands" by Neil Shafer: "Obverses show the figure's left hand flat; also, many have weakly struck rims with resultant loss in detail of design (especially around the volcano and left side of the pedestal). Reverses vary greatly in clarity of strike. Some have poor rim with sharp breast feathers on the eagle, and others have a fair rim but poor wing tips and part of shield flat. Dates most susceptible to poor strikes are 1930 and 1931, although the other years of this type show up poorly struck." (Shafer, 1961, p.38)
  All of the Reduced Size & Weight Five Centavos of 1930 - 1935 are scarce in Choice Uncirculated and Very Rare in Gem quality. In fact NGC and PCGS combined have only certified thirty-four (34) 1930 - 1935 Five Centavos in MS65, and one (1) in MS66, with no specimens graded higher.

US Philippines Coins One Centavo 1928

US Philippines Coins One Centavo 1928

Obverse: A young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised, and in the background to his left is a billowing Mayon Volcano.
Lettering: "ONE CENTAVO" and "FILIPINAS" (Spanish for Philippines).

Reverse: Eagle above shield, date below
Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA · 1928 ·
Edge: Smooth

M – stands for Manila Mint with the exemption of coins issued between 1920 to 1922 which have no Mint marks.
Years: 1903-1936.
Value: 1 Centavo.
Metal: Bronze.
Weight: 4.7 g.
Diameter: 24.8 mm.
Thickness: 1.45 mm.
Shape: Round.

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands

The Philippines under U.S. Sovereignty 1898 – 1935

Half Centavo      One Centavo      5 Centavos      10 Centavos   

20 Centavos          50 Centavos          One Peso

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands - One Centavo of 1903 - 1936.

The One Centavo was designed by Filipino artist Melicio Figueroa and engraved by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The obverse design shows a young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised, and in the background to his left is a billowing volcano. The obverse carries the inscriptions "One Centavo" and "Filipinas" (Spanish for Philippines). The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. The reverse carries the inscription "United States of America" and the date.
  The One Centavo was struck in Bronze (95% copper, 5% zinc and tin). It had a weigh of 80 Grains and a diameter of 24mm.
  Business strikes of the One Centavo were struck at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1905.
  A limited number of Proof One Centavo coins were produced at the Philadelphia mint from 1903 through 1906 and again in 1908. The mintage figures for the proof One Centavo is as follows: 1903 (2,558), 1904 (1,355), 1905 (471), 1906 (500), and 1908 (500). The 1906 and 1908 One Centavo are PROOF ONLY ISSUES.
  The business and proof coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint have no mint mark.
  In 1908 production of One Centavo business strikes shifted to the San Francisco Mint which produced One Centavo coins every year from 1908 through 1920. The coins produced at the San Francisco Mint have an "S" Mint Mark on the reverse to the left of the date.
  In July 1920 the newly opened United States Manila Branch Mint took over One Centavo production. The Manila mint did not use a mint-mark on its One Centavo coinage of 1920, 1921, and 1922. No One Centavos were struck anywhere during 1923 or 1924. One Centavo production resumed at the Manila Mint in 1925. The Manila Mint struck One Centavo coins every year from 1925 through 1934 and again in 1936. The 1925 through 1936 One Centavo has an "M" Mint Mark on the reverse to the left of the date.
  Business strikes of the 1903 through 1936 One Centavo often have strike issues. According to the classical reference book "United States Territorial Coinage For The Philippine Islands" by Neil Shafer: "On obverses the figure's right hand is almost always found flatly struck. Reverses often show flattening of the eagle's breast, especially in the later years. Light strikes are commonly seen throughout the manila mint issues (esp. 1920), but only occasionally in strikes of San Francisco. The left part of the reverse shield is very susceptible to flat striking; this includes some stars on the left side as well. The mint-mark M during the years 1929-1936 often appears as an almost indistinguishable letter." (Shafer, 1961, p.37)
  The One Centavo was really the workhorse of the Philippine economy. Between 1903 and 1936 U.S. Mints produced 195.9 Million One Centavo coins. That was more than the total combined production of Half Centavo (17.7 million), Five Centavos (39.6 million), Ten Centavos (49.3 million), Twenty Centavos (34.5 million), and Fifty Centavos (18.4 million).
  Despite the huge number of One Centavo business strikes assembling a complete collection in the higher grades can be quite challenging.
  Many 1903 through 1936 One Centavos were melted down during World War II and the surviving specimens are often well circulated or suffering from environmental damage.
  The climate in the Philippines was not conducive to persevering Bronze coins and the vast majority of certified Mint State coins are either Brown or Red Brown. The NGC population report (10/15/2012) shows that out of 1203 One Centavo business strikes certified 42.8% are Brown, 35.2% Red Brown, and 22% Red.
  The number of Red Gems is even less with only 16.1% of the One Centavo business strikes grading MS65 RD or above. For some years in the series, and several of the die varieties, no Red Gems are known to exist.
  Full Red proof One Centavos are even rarer than Full Red business strikes. The NGC population report (10/15/2012) shows that of 207 proof One Centavos certified 40.6% are Brown, 48.3% Red Brown, and only 11.1% Red. Gem quality Full Red proofs can be very difficult to find and all are quite rare. Only 18 specimens (8.7%) grade PF 65 RD or higher.
  The attached picture shows my 1928 USA-Philippines One Centavo.

US Philippines Coins Half Centavo 1906

US Philippines Coins Half Centavo 1906

Obverse: A young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised, and in the background to his left is a billowing Mayon Volcano.
Lettering: "HALF CENTAVO" and "FILIPINAS" (Spanish for Philippines).

Reverse: Eagle above shield, date below
Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA · 1906 ·

No Mint Mark – Philadelphia Mint
Years: 1903-1908.
Value: 1/2 Centavo.
Metal: Bronze.
Weight: 2.6 g.
Diameter: 17.5 mm.
Shape: Round.

The U.S. government struck Half Centavos for the Philippines from 1903-1908.  In 1903 and 1904, the U.S. mint at Philadelphia struck Half Centavos for circulation.  Proof examples were struck from in all years from 1903 to 1908 for sale to collectors at a premium.
  High grade Mint State examples of the 1903 Half Centavo are available in Full Red condition thanks to a large mintage; 1904 Half Centavos are more difficult to find in Gem condition because of a lower mintage and reduced collector enthusiasm for the coins in the second year.

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands

The Philippines under U.S. Sovereignty 1898 – 1935

Half Centavo      One Centavo      5 Centavos      10 Centavos   

20 Centavos          50 Centavos          One Peso

United States Coinage for the Philippine Islands - Half Centavo of 1903 - 1908.

  The Half Centavo was designed by Filipino artist Melicio Figueroa and engraved by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The obverse design shows a young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised, and in the background to his left is a billowing Mayon Volcano. The obverse carries the inscriptions "Half Centavo" and "Filipinas" (Spanish for Philippines). The reverse design depicts an eagle with spread wings perched atop an American shield. The reverse carries the inscription "United States of America" and the date.
  The Half Centavo was struck in Bronze (95% copper, 5% zinc and tin). It had a weigh of 40 Grains and a diameter of 17.5 mm.
  Business strikes of the Half Centavo were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1903 (12,084,000) and 1904 (5,654,000).
  A limited number of Proof Half Centavos were produced at the Philadelphia mint from 1903 through 1906 and again in 1908. The mintage figures for proof Half Centavos is as follows: 1903 (2,558), 1904 (1,355), 1905 (471), 1906 (500), and 1908 (500). The 1905, 1906, and 1908 Half Centavos were PROOF ONLY ISSUES.
  The Half Centavo proved to be an unnecessary denomination that was poorly accepted by the public. Production of business strikes of this denomination was discontinued in March 1904 and in April 1904 the unpopular Half Centavo denomination was withdrawn from circulation. In June 1908 the idle stockpile of 7,585,400 Half Centavo pieces was shipped to the San Francisco mint where they were melted and re-coined into One Centavo pieces. That leaves a little less than 60% of the original total mintage still available to collectors today.
  If you are thinking about starting a USA-Philippines Type Set this is the perfect coin to start with. A comparatively large number of 1903 business strikes were saved by collectors and well struck MS64 RD and MS65 RD specimens are quite reasonably priced. The 1904 business strikes and all of the proof issues are much scarcer particularly in Red. Gem quality Full Red proofs can be very difficult to find and all are quite rare.
  The attached picture shows 1906 USA-Philippines Half Centavo.

US Philippines Wilson Dollar in Gold 1920

US Philippines Wilson Dollar in Gold 1920

Struck to commemorate the opening of the Manila mint, July 16th, 1920. mintage 5 pieces.

  The focus of this article is the official United States medal, as sold to collectors in 1920, depicting President Woodrow Wilson and commemorating the opening of a branch Mint of the United States Mint in Manila, Philippines, which at that time was a territorial possession of the United States.

  Commonly referred to as the Wilson Dollar, the Wilson Dollar is not a coin, but a medal, it bearing no denomination. The medalcommemorates the opening of the Manila Mint as a Branch Mint of the United States Mint on July 15, 1920. The Manila Mint was the only branch mint of the United States established overseas. It operated from 1920 until the Philippines fell under Japanese control in 1942.
The Philippines were discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 and conquered by Spain in 1565 which ruled the islands for more than 300 years. The islands were named after King Philip II of Spain. Following the U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Islands were ceded to the United States by treaty on December 10, 1898. Filipinos, unable to obtain complete independence from the United States after the war, started guerrilla warfare February 4, 1899 which only ended in April of 1902, slightly a year after the capture of their leader, Emilio Aguinaldo on March 23, 1901.
In 1902 President Theodore Roosevelt signed a bill authorizing a separate coinage for the Philippine islands. The designs and denominations served a dual purpose: showing United States sovereignty over the islands, while maintaining the Peso denomination already familiar to the islands. Starting in 1903 coins were struck in denominations of One Half Centavo (1903-1908), One Centavo, Five Centavos, Ten Centavos, Twenty Centavos, Fifty Centavos and One Peso to replace Spanish colonial issues then in use. Unlike the Spanish issues, the United States did not strike any gold for use in coinage for the Philippines.

  United States-Philippines coinage was struck at both the Philadelphia (1903-1908) and San Francisco Mints (1903-1920). These issues have become the only "colonial" coinage ever struck under U.S. authority. During this period, the Bureau of the Mint, U.S. Treasury Department, proceeded with plans for the Islands to have their own mint. These coins, along with the subsequent issues up to 1945, are often collected as a separate series of United States issues and in fact are commonly listed in major coin reference books, such as The Guide Book of United States Coins (aka "Redbook").
  The Manila Mint had been closed since the late 1800s (when it was operated by the Spanish) but the demand for locally minted coinage had increased, requiring the opening of a local minting facility. The building was refurbished, electronically operated coining equipment made in the Philadelphia Mint machine shop was sent to the islands and the Manila Mint formally opened in 1920. When the Manila Mint opened under United States administration, it became the first (and to date the only) U.S. branch mint located outside the Continental United States. The Manila Mint produced coins from 1920 to 1922 and then again from 1925 to 1941, when the Empire of Japan invaded and occupied the Philippines during World War II. The Mint was operated under Japanese auspices during the occupation, although no Japanese occupation coins were issued. No United States coins were ever struck at the Mint again, although U.S. coins for the Philippines were struck at other U.S. mints in 1944 and 1945. The Mint Building itself was destroyed during the American-Filipino liberation of Manila in 1944.
  The commonly called "Wilson Dollar" was the official medal produced to mark the formal opening of the Manila Mint. In addition, it was one of the first items produced at the Mint. The medal designer, Clifford Hewitt, installed the Manila Mint equipment and instructed Filipino natives in its operation.
The obverse of the medal features a bust of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson facing left. Wilson was President at the time of the opening of the Manila Mint. The words: PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES appears above the portrait around the beaded border rim. The design was by Clifford Hewitt. George Morgan, perhaps best known to collectors as the designer of the Morgan Dollar (1878-1921) executed the dies at the Philadelphia Mint.

The reverse of the medal features a representation of Justice kneeling and holding a balance scale in her right hand, and watching over a nude youth pouring coin planchets from a cornucopia into a coining press. The reverse design is also credited to Clifford Hewitt, and George Morgan produced the dies at the Philadelphia Mint. This design did not strike well, and most mint specimens are found with a somewhat mushy looking strike, particularly on the bronze specimens.
  The medal is commonly referred to in many numismatic publications as the Wilson Dollar, although in reality it is a medal, and carries no denomination nor has it ever been considered legal tender.
This official medal was produced in silver and bronze for sale to collectors. In addition, five were struck in gold as presentation pieces. All three medal varieties were struck with medal rotation, plain edges and measure 38.1 mm.
  A total of 2,200 were struck on silver planchets identical to those used on United States Silver Dollars of the period. The silver issues weigh 27.22 grams; composition .900 silver, .100 copper. The bronze issue is 28.01 grams. A total of 3,700 were struck in bronze.
  The original issue price for the silver medal was One Dollar. The bronze version sold for Fifty Cents.
The gold medal was made solely for presentation purposes and was not offered for sale. Of the five gold pieces, one was presented to President Wilson, another to the U.S. Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker and three were retained in the Philippines. Of the five specimens struck, only three are presently accounted for.
  As the mintage figures would indicate, the gold piece is very rare, with only three examples known to be still in existence. Of the three, two are listed as graded by NGC. The current NGC Census Report indicates that one grades MS-61 and the other MS-62.
In July 2008, Heritage Galleries sold at its Baltimore, Maryland, ANA US Coin Signature Auction a gold Wilson Dollar graded by NGC MS-62 for $74,750.00, the highest auction price for this particular issue. Heritage had offered a different gold Wilson Dollar in its February 2008 Medals and Tokens Signature Auction but that specimen, lot 81185, had a mount removed.
  The bronze and silver issues are difficult to find in choice mint condition, and prices have been moving steadily higher. Auction prices are all over the place on both the silver and bronze specimens, a bronze specimen, described as Red-Brown but not slabbed by any of the grading services auctioned off for $1100 earlier this year, silver specimens show a similar pattern, with one example grading NCG MS-62 being offered on eBay "Buy It Now" option trading for $1,700 in July 2008.
  The silver issue is easier to locate in true mint state condition than the comparably higher mintage bronze specimen. Census figures for the major grading services also reflect this trend. At the time of this writing, NGC's online census reports indicates a total of 73 silver Wilson Dollars having been graded, with one grading AU-55, eight as AU-58, seven as MS-61, nineteen as MS-62, twenty-three as MS-63, eight as MS-64, and seven as MS-65.
  NGC reports show that for the bronze issue, one is graded as AU-53 BN (Brown), five AU-58 BN, one MS-62 BN, and three as MS-63 BN. Bronze specimens indicating Red-Brown are reported by NGC as one AU-55 RB (Red Brown), four AU-58 RB, six MS-62 RB, and one MS-63 RB. There are no reported fully red specimens graded by NCG, and the highest grade for either Brown or Red-Brown specimens is MS-63.
  The other major coin grading service, Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS), does not grade Wilson Dollars, so there is no comparable data from this major grading service. ANACS grading service shows a similar pattern on the silver versus bronze issues, with four silver Wilsons grading AU-55, five grading AU-58, three making the MS-60 grade, two MS-61, eleven MS-62, fourteen MS-63, seven MS-64 and just two grading MS-65.
  According to ANACS on-line census report, only one bronze medal is graded with the Red designation, it grading as MS-62. There are three Wilson bronzes graded as MS-60 BR (Brown), with one MS-61 BR, two MS-62 BR, two MS-63 BR and one MS-65 BR. The Wilson Bronze in Red-Brown shows and interesting pattern, with only eight coins so designated, seven are MS-62 RB, and one MS-63 RB. In addition to the mint state pieces, ANACS also has graded nineteen bronze medals in grades from extra fine thru AU-58. As these medals are now getting to be very expensive, it is recommended that collectors only purchase examples that have be graded by one of the major grading firms, especially when purchasing the bronze specimens which seem to have suffered more environmental damage as well as improper handling and cleaning. At the very least be very wary when purchasing the bronze medal, as the bronze seems to have suffered more damage over the years to make this higher mintage medal very scarce in true mint state. In addition, fakes are known for both the silver and bronze issues.
The Wilson medal is well-known to collectors of several popularly collected series: So-Called Dollar collectors following the Hibler and Kappen book seek out examples for their so-called Dollar collection where the medals are designated HK-449 (Silver), HK-450 (Bronze) and HK-1031 (Gold). Collectors specializing in United States Mint medals similarly seek out the bronze and silver issues. Collectors of United States issues of the Philippines (1903-1945) typically add this official medal issue commemorating the opening of the Manila Mint to their collections. In addition, for a great many years, due to the popularly of the Wayte Raymond United States Commemorative coin holders, collectors of United States commemorative coins have included the Wilson Dollar (along with the Norse Centennial Medal and the Pony Express Medal) along with their set of United States commemoratives.
Thus, the medal has collectors of four different series seeking examples for their collections.

  Besides the unique occasion that it commemorates, and as well as its inclusion in several different sets, the medal is interesting for another reason: in 1942 about 16 Million Pesos in silver coin were crated and thrown into the sea near Corregidor to avoid seizure by the invading forces of Japan. Included in this mix were a substantial but undocumented number of unsold silver and bronze Wilson Dollars.
Since the end of the World War II, well over 10 million Pesos have been salvaged, along with a large but undocumented number of Wilson medals in both silver and bronze. The majority of the coins and medals recovered are heavily corroded from their decades long immersion in salt water. Sea-salvaged specimens of these battle weary medals, commemorating a mint that itself was destroyed during the war, occasionally appear in the collector market, and are avidly collected. I have seen the sea-salvaged medals go for as much as $400, and ANACS also slabs but does not grade, sea-salvaged specimens.

  Although a large number of these medals were dumped off Corregidor to avoid capture, enough examples had migrated to the United States mainland between 1920-1942 so that mint examples can be found. This issue is usually found with a softer "mushy" strike especially on the reverse. Although it has a higher mintage than the silver issue, the bronze issue is more difficult to find in mint state, and usually has a somewhat greasy looking appearance. Also, like U.S. Commemorative coins from the 1892-1920s period, these medals are often found with some minor wear. Thus, nice examples are very difficult to find in the market.
For collectors interested in an attractive medal commemorating the opening of America's most western Mint, the Wilson Dollar is a challenging and thoughtful addition to several different collections.