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US-Philippines coins: United States of America on one side, Filipinas on the other

From 1903 to 1945 the US struck coins for the Philippines. Silver 10, 20, 50 centavos and pesos are a melt-plus series. Victory issues are 1944–45. Common dates are not a fortune. A few are.

A US-Philippines one peso and a 20 centavos on a wooden counter

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If it says United States of America and Filipinas, it is a US-Philippines coin (1903–1945). Territorial money. Not a US quarter. Not a modern Philippine peso.

Early silver (1903–1906) is larger. In 1907 they reduced the silver coins. 10, 20, 50 centavos and the peso are the silver ones we weigh. 1 centavo and 5 centavos are base metal.

Victory and the war

1944–1945 “Victory” issues were struck as the US came back. Same series family. Japanese invasion money is the occupation paper from the years in between. Do not price a guerrilla note like a 1903 peso.

What we pay

Common worn silver: melt plus a little, like other 90%-class world that we know. 1903–1906 pesos can be stronger. A few dates (think 1906-S peso territory) are collector coins. Culion leper colony pieces and some commemoratives are a specialist look.

Base-metal centavos: bulk or a token nod. World coins. 90% silver.

Do not clean the peso. Bring the paper from the same box separately — JIM, guerrilla notes, and Victory coins are three piles.

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Reading the coin

Obverse often has Liberty or a man with a hammer and anvil (later types). Reverse has an eagle over a shield and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Mint marks: S for San Francisco, M or none depending on year and Manila. Mint marks.

Reduced-size silver after 1907 has less metal than the 1903–06 pieces. We do not pay 1903 peso weight on a 1920 peso.

People also ask

Are these US coins? Territorial. Collected with US and with world.

What about 1960s Philippine coins? Different country, after independence. Bulk unless silver.

Guerrilla notes? Paper from the occupation. Separate pile from these coins.

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