Philippines One Peso, Circulation Strikes (1903-1936)

With the recent sale of a 1912-S peso in MS65 for $63,250 this series is exploding! Most, if not all dates in the series will pose at least a slight challenge in uncirculated condition and a test of numismatic ability for specimens in gem condition. Beautiful coins that were originally struck on Morgan Dollar planchets, the series contains many interesting issues including one depicting FDR, who was a sitting U.S. President at the time – a first in U.S. numismatics. The coins have many stories to tell, such as the 1906-S whose 201,000 mintage was nearly all held back and melted, resulting in one of the keys of the U.S.-Philippines series with survival rates estimated in the low hundreds. Still many other years were victims of World War II and being jettisoned into Carballo Bay to prevent from falling into Japanese hands, the 1936 Commemoratives (of which only 10,000 were minted) having the largest mortality. Most of the coins could probably come close to being considered as “semi keys” when scarcity is factored into the picture. One thing is certain; this set will be worth the effort and a true marvel when completed.