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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,512 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12253 Posts |
I'm posting this one today in honor of July 4th, Independence Day. On July 4, 1946, the US Commonwealth of the Philippines gained full independence and joined the independent, sovereign nations of the world.
Happy July 4th! (If you celebrate the day.)Presented here is a silver US-Philippines One Peso from 1904 - it was struck at the San Francisco Mint. The coin has a diameter of 38 millimeters and a weight of 26.95 grams. It was struck on a 0.900 fine silver planchet. The coin is part of a lesser-explored area (for most collectors) of US numismatics - the coinage struck for the Philippine Islands while the island group was either a US Territory (1901-1935) or a US Commonwealth (1935-46). The coin's obverse depicts a young Philippine female figure (meant to represent Liberty, standing with wind-swept hair and gown while she holds a hammer in her right hand (symbolic of commerce/industry); the hammer is shown resting on an anvil. In the background is seen the Philippines volcano Mt. Mayon with smoke rising from it. The reverse presents a US Shield surmounted by a bald eagle. (Note: Some sources reverse the obverse/reverse designations as described here.) An interesting design note is the inclusion of the denomination - ONE PESO - in English and the name of the islands - FILIPINAS - in Spanish on the obverse. The designs are the work of Filipino Artist Melecio Figueroa; Charles Barber was the engraver. 1904-S US-PI Peso  Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
07/04/2023 07:10 am
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Moderator
United States
15389 Posts |
That's a lovely looking example. Thanks for sharing it with us and the bit of history that goes along with the coin.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Beautiful designs for sure!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
807 Posts |
Owing to the state of the world silver market when the USA took over the Philippines from Spain, the value of the peso was set at 50¢ US. The peso coin, however, was the same standard as an old Trade dollar — slightly heavier than a US standard silver dollar! As a result, during a brief spike in the world price of silver in 1907, it became profitable to exchange US gold-standard dollars for Philippine peso coins, and melt down the pesos. This caused a serious deficiency of circulating medium in the Philippines. From that point, two major changes were made. First, the peso (and subsidiary silver) was reduced in weight and fineness. Second, the Philippine Treasury was given authority to pay out US coin and currency instead of silver pesos when people brought in Philippine silver certificates for redemption. Edited by publius
07/04/2023 10:47 am
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Moderator
United States
94765 Posts |
very nice looking coin, thanks for the great read!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24918 Posts |
Excellent historical summary and coin, commems! I'm curious as to why they didn't use Morgan dollar planchets for these instead of creating new ones. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3634 Posts |
Thanks, commems. That's a nice looking coin.
Member of SPMC, FCCB, ANA and ANS. My U.S. Classic Commemorative Complete Set: https://www.NGCcoin.com/registry/co...sets/278741/My U.S. Fractional Note Set: https://notes.www.collectors-societ...eSetID=34188 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5177 Posts |
Happy 4th of July!
Lovely design. I wonder if it would be possible to assemble a "world coin collection" of Liberties. Maybe include a silver eagle, a French La Semeuse, etc.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12253 Posts |
Quote:
I wonder if it would be possible to assemble a "world coin collection" of Liberties. With perseverance and noteworthy pockets (if you pursue mint state silver crowns!) it would. Off the top of my head, I recall that such a collection would include, among others, coins from Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, French Indochina, Haiti and Peru (besides the US). The collection would include bust portraits of Liberty, Seated Liberty designs and Standing Liberty designs. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
807 Posts |
Quote:
Off the top of my head, I recall that such a collection would include, among others, coins from Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, French Indochina, Haiti and Peru (besides the US). The Peruvian Seated Liberty sol is really a lovely coin, but can be difficult to find in high grades. They circulated heavily, and look it!   Edited by publius
07/04/2023 7:34 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5177 Posts |
I love that Peruvian Liberty coin with the earring. Very groovy.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12253 Posts |
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The Peruvian Seated Liberty sol is really a lovely coin I agree!   Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
187673 Posts |
Very nice!  |
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Valued Member
United States
235 Posts |
My July 4, 1946 independence day medal for the Philippines....I have a couple other years as well.  |
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Moderator
United States
187673 Posts |
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My July 4, 1946 independence day medal for the Philippines....I have a couple other years as well. Nice example! |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12253 Posts |
Very nice Philippines Independence Day medal! Thanks for sharing!
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,512 |
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Posted 07/04/2023 09:32 am
