Commems Collection Classic: 1947 Philippines Macarthur Commemorative Coins - Origin Story

I've written before about the 1947 One Peso and 50 Centavos coins of the Philippines that commemorated General Douglas MacArthur; the post also presented my reasons for collecting the coins alongside my US commemorative coins. (You can read the post here: 1947 Philippines MacArthur Commemorative Coins.)

General Douglas MacArthur Signing Japan's Instrument of Surrender

(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)


As I've done for the classic era US commemorative coins, I'm revisiting my original post about these coins to present a bit more of the origin story for the commemorative pair.

At the time the US Territory of the Philippines transitioned into the US Commonwealth of the Philippines (November 1935), the official timeline had the Philippines becoming an independent nation in 1945. World War II and the temporary Japanese occupation of the Philippines caused the timeline to be delayed a year - the Philippines gained independence on July 4, 1946.

After the Japanese Occupation Forces were defeated in early 1945, the Philippines Congress (consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives) met and passed a Joint Resolution that honored General Douglas MacArthur and the forces that fought under his command; the Resolution also called for coins and postage stamps to be issued in MacArthur's honor. The Resolution was adopted on July 4, 1945, the day before General MacArthur declared that his offensive campaign to free the Philippines from Japan was complete and that the Philippines were liberated.

Here is the text of the Philippines Congress Joint House Resolution:

JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 3

JOINT RESOLUTION GRANTING GENERAL OF THE ARMY DOUGLAS MACARTHUR MILITARY HONORS AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF COINS AND POSTAGE STAMPS BEARING HIS LIKENESS; WITH THE INSCRIPTION "DEFENDER-LIBERATOR."

WHEREAS, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur and his gallant forces have written one of the most inspiring chapters in the history of human freedom through their brilliant military operations which led to the liberation of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the whole Filipino nation is profoundly grateful to General MacArthur and his forces for the priceless boon of liberty and freedom, which they have secured for the Filipino people; and

WHEREAS, the liberation of the Philippines will insure the enjoyment of our right to independent nationhood; Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

That in reverent appreciation of General Douglas MacArthur, his name be carried in perpetuity on the company rolls of the units of the Philippine Army and, at parade roll calls, when his name is called, the senior noncommissioned officer shall answer "Present in Spirit," and during the lifetime of the General, he shall be accredited with a Squad of Honor composed of twelve men of the Philippine Army.

That coins and postage stamps to be determined by the President having the likeness of General Douglas MacArthur, shall bear the inscription "Defender-Liberator."

Approved, July 4, 1945.

The Philippines President at the time of the Resolution was Sergio Osmeña; he served from August 1, 1944 to May 28, 1946. Manuel Roxas was the President during the period of development for the designs used on the coins and stamps; he served from May 28, 1946 to April 15, 1948 (he died in office after suffering a heart attack).

The coins were issued in 1947 - they were the first coins issued by the independent Republic of the Philippines. The coins were not-intended-for-circulation (NIFC) issues; the US-PI coins issued while the Philippines were either a Territory or Commonwealth of the US continued to circulate after Philippines independence. The stamps were released on February 3, 1948 to coincide with the third anniversary of the start of the Battle of Manila and MacArthur's liberation of Manila.

The strong connection with US history compelled me to add the coins and stamps to my primarily US collection.

1947 Philippines General Douglas MacArthur Commemorative Coins




1948 Philippines General Douglas MacArthur Commemorative Stamps





For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the history of the Gettysburg half dollar, see: Commems Collection.