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JAA

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Journal Entries posted by JAA

  1. JAA
    Thank you NGC for creating a competitive registry set category for the Culion Island Leper Colony Coinage.
    The Culion Island Leper Colony Coinage is a fascinating but often overlooked aspect of USA-Philippine numismatics.
    In 1906 the Bureau of Health for the U.S. Territory of the Philippines established a colony for leper patients on the small island of Culion in the China Sea. For health reasons, the decision was made that the leper colony should have a separate coinage of its own which would not circulate in the rest of the Philippines.
    One of the fascinating features of the monetary system in the leper colony was the strict regulations which separated the circulation of government coinage and the special "Leper Coins". In the colony proper "Leper Money" was the only legal medium of exchange. Government coinage was not allowed within the colony and non-lepers that did business in the colony had to exchange their "Government Money" for "Leper Money" before they entered the colony. When they exited the colony they exchanged their "Leper Money" for "Government Money". In this way "Leper Money" only circulated within the colony. The police strictly enforced these regulations and violators were subject to a fine of not more than Fifteen Pesos, imprisonment of up to one month or both.
    The first issue of "Lepar Money" consisted of Half Centavo, One Centavo, Five Centavos, Ten Centavos, Twenty Centavos, and One Peso coins which were struck in aluminum by the firm of Frank and Company, Manila in 1913. The obverse used a simple inscription of value as its central design. "Culion Leper Colony" was inscribed at the top, and "Philippine Islands" below. The reverse design was a "Caduceus" surrounded by the inscription "Bureau Of Health" at the top and the date below. The 1913 issue carried no mint marks.
    The second issue, also in aluminum, was struck at the newly opened Manila mint in 1920. The second issue consisted of Ten Centavos, Twenty Centavos, and One Peso coins, all of which used the same obverse and reverse designs as the 1913 issue. The 1920 issue carried no mint marks. All subsequent Culion Island Leper Colony Coinage was produced at the Manila mint.
    The aluminum coins proved totally unsatisfactory due to rapid deterioration from the climatic conditions in the Philippines and the chemicals (mercuric bichloride) used to disinfect leper colony money. Starting in 1922 all Leper Colony coinage was struck in copper-nickel.
    The third issue, struck in copper-nickel by the Manila mint in 1922, consisted of Twenty Centavos and One Peso coinage. These coins continued the same obverse and reverse designs as the 1913 and 1920 issues but added an incuse monogram "PM" (Philippine Mint) Mint-mark on the obverse.
    The fourth issue consisted of only one denomination, a copper-nickel One Peso which was struck at the Manila mint in 1925. The obverse design for the 1925 peso features a bust of Jose Rizal (Filipino patriot and martyr who was killed by the Spanish in 1896) and carries the inscriptions "Culion Leper Colony" and "Philippine Islands". The reverse design features the seal of the Philippine Health Service and carries the inscription "Philippine Health Service", the date and value. The reverse also carries the mint-mark for the Philippine Mint. The mint-mark is a very unusual double mint-mark represented by a "P" on the left side of the reverse under a star and an "M" on the right side of the reverse under a star.
    The fifth issue consisting of One Centavo and Five Centavo denominations was struck in nickel-copper by the Manila mint in 1927. The Five Centavos used the same obverse design as the 1925 Peso. The reverse changed the date and denomination but was otherwise the same as the 1925 issue. The One Centavo was issued in two die variations. Both die varieties featured a bust of Apolinario Mabini (known as the "brains of the Philippine Revolution") on the obverse with the same inscriptions as the 1927 Five Centavos. The reverse design (except for the denomination) was the same as the 1927 Five Centavos.
    The sixth and final Leper Colony issue consisted of One Centavo and Ten Centavos denominations struck in nickel-copper by the Manila mint in 1930. Although manufactured at the Manila mint the 1930 issue carried no mint marks.
    The 1930 One Centavo featured a bust of Jose Rizel on the obverse and carried the inscriptions "Leper Colonies And Stations" and "Philippine Islands". The reverse had the denomination and date inscribed in the center and carried the inscriptions "Philippine Health Service" at the top and "Leper Coin One Centavo" below.
    The 1930 Ten Centavos featured a bust of Andres Bonifacio (a hero of the Philippine Revolution) on the obverse and carried the inscriptions "Leper Colonies And Stations" and "Philippine Islands". The reverse had the denomination and date inscribed in the center and carried the inscriptions "Philippine Health Service" at the top and "Leper Coin Ten Centavos" below.
    The reason for the 1930 inscription change to "Leper Colonies And Stations" was that beginning in 1926 special "Leper Coins" were also used by the inmates of the San Lazaro Leper Hospital in Manila.
    Unfortunately most surviving examples of Culion Island Leper Colony Coinage are well worn or corroded. With the exception of the 1913 Half Centavo mint state examples of Leper Colony coinage are practically nonexistent and nice Extra Fine to AU specimens are a challenge to locate.
    I would encourage everyone to visit the "Culion Island Leper Colony Coinage" Registry Set belonging to "coin928" at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=147941&Ranking=all
    Thank-you coin928 for suggesting that NGC create this new competitive registry category and congratulations on the very nice high quality coins in your "Culion Island Leper Colony Coinage" Registry Set.
    The coin pictured is the obverse of a Culion Island Leper Colony 1922 PM One Peso. Note the incuse monogram "PM" (Philippine Mint) Mint-mark in the center of the coin.

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  2. JAA
    Today's Journal entry is the sixth installment in my weekly series on the United States coinage for the Philippine Islands. The fifth of the twenty slots that compose a NGC USA-Philippines Type Set is 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.
    The attached picture shows my 1932-M USA-Philippines Five Centavos MS65. This attractive Top Pop Coin has a combined NGC/PCGS population of 16/0.
    To see my Five Centavos Registry Set click here: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=68601&Ranking=all
    To see the other coins that comprise an NGC USA-Philippines Type Set visit my award winning (2011 Best Presented Set Award) USA-Philippines Type Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51257&Ranking=all
    An expanded version of the USA-Philippines Type Set is found in my Custom USA-Philippines Type Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9238
    Next week's installment will feature the Five Centavos of 1937 - 1945.

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  3. JAA
    Today's Journal entry is the fifth installment in my weekly series on the United States coinage for the Philippine Islands. The fourth of the twenty slots that compose a NGC USA-Philippines Type Set is 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.
    The attached picture shows my 1905 USA-Philippines Five Centavos PR65 (Ex: Dr. Greg Pineda Philippine Collection). The 1905 Five Centavos is the rarest of the proof issues with a miniscule mintage of only 471 and this is one of the finest known surviving specimens.
    To see my Five Centavos Registry Set click here: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=68601&Ranking=all
    The highlights of this Registry Set are my 1903 PF66, 1905 PR65 (Ex: Dr. Greg Pineda Philippine Collection), 1906 PR65, and 1908 PF66.
    To see the other coins that comprise an NGC USA-Philippines Type Set visit my award winning (2011 Best Presented Set Award) USA-Philippines Type Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51257&Ranking=all
    An expanded version of the USA-Philippines Type Set is found in my Custom USA-Philippines Type Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9238
    Next week's installment will feature the Reduced Size and Weight Five Centavos of 1930 - 1935.

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  4. JAA
    The USA-Philippines Five Centavos series is a challenge to complete in mint state. While the rare 1918-S Mule overshadows the other dates in terms of difficulty there are several other key and semi key dates that are difficult to locate.
    All of the 1916-S through 1919-S Five Centavos have very small populations of certified mint state coins and attractive well struck examples are tough to find. Of those years the 1917-S is the easiest date to find in MS62 and above with a Combined NGC/PCGS Population of 11/25.
    The Sunday October 22, 2012 Teletrade Auction Number 3367 featured a large selection of U.S. and Spanish Philippine coins from the "Just Having Fun Collection". Among the offerings was lot number 2597 a well struck attractively toned 1917-S Five Centavos graded PCGS MS62.
    I really liked the blue, russet and gold toning on this specimen. There is also an interesting mint error on the obverse near the "T" in Centavos. The bottom of the lower serf on the right side of the letter "T" is missing and there is a raised area to the right of and below the "T" which was most likely caused by a lamination or die crack.
    I was the successful bidder on this coin at the reserve price of $200.00 ($230.00 with buyer's premium).
    With this addition my Five Centavos Registry set is now 65% complete and ranks number two in its category. To view my Five Centavos Registry Set click here: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=68601&Ranking=all
    The image attached to this Collectors Journal entry is my newly acquired 1917-S MS62 Five Centavos. The 1917-S Five Centavos had a mintage of 2.3 million. The combined NGC/PCGS certified population for this date in MS62 is eleven coins with twenty-five specimens graded higher.

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  5. JAA
    Today's journal entry is the fourth installment in my weekly series on the United States coinage for the Philippine Islands. The third of the twenty slots that compose a NGC USA-Philippines Type Set is the "Commonwealth Reverse" One Centavo of 1937 - 1944.
    The One Centavo of 1937 - 1944 continues the same obverse design that was used on the 1903 - 1936 One Centavo. The obverse was designed by Filipino artist Melicio Figueroa and engraved by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The design shows a young Filipino male seated next to an anvil holding a hammer in his right hand, his left arm raised. In the background to his left is a billowing volcano. The obverse carries the inscriptions "One Centavo" and "Filipinas" (Spanish for Philippines).
    In 1935 the United States Congress granted the Philippines Commonwealth Status and promised independence in 1946. To reflect the new status of the Philippines as a self governing Commonwealth, the reverse design of all regular issue USA-Philippines coins was changed in 1937 to depict the official seal of the "Commonwealth of the Philippines". The reverse carries the inscription "United States of America" and the date. The mint mark can be found to the left of the date.
    Design elements of the Commonwealth Reverse incorporate the rich history of the Philippines. Needless to say the eagle perched atop the shield represents the United States. The shield used was an adaptation of a design used for the official seal of The Government of the Philippine Islands which appeared on Philippine paper money starting in 1905. The three stars at the top of the shield represent the three main geographical regions of the Philippines: Luzon, Mindanao, and the Visayas. The lettering on the scroll beneath the shield reads "Commonwealth of the Philippines". The oval in the center of the shield depicts a modification of the Coat of Arms of the City of Manila which dates to 1596.
    "On the 20th of March, 1596, King Philip the Second bestowed upon the ensigne y siempre leal City of Manila a Coat of Arms such as is possessed by other cities of the Indies. It shall consist of a shield which shall have in its upper part a golden castle on a red field closed by blue doors and windows and which shall be surmounted by a crown and on the lower half on a blue field, a half lion and half dolphin of silver armed and langued gules (red nails and tongue). The said lion shall hold in his paws a sword with guards and hilt." (Royal Edict of March 20, 1596 as quoted by Dr. Gilbert S. Perez in the Coin Collectors Journal, Sept-October 1946 and reprinted in Philippine Numismatic Monographs Number 19 in 1975)
    If you look at the attached picture, you can clearly see the castle surmounted by a crown and the half lion-half dolphin holding a sword with guards and hilt in his paws.
    Business strikes of the One Centavo were manufactured at the Manila Mint from 1937 through 1941. These pre-Word War ll issues were struck in bronze (95% copper, 5% zinc and tin) and had a weight of 80 Grains and a diameter of 24mm. Mintages were as follows:
    1937-M (15,790,492)
    1938-M (10,000,000)
    1939-M (6,500.000)
    1940-M (4,000,000)
    1941-M (5,000,000)
    Production of coins at the Manila Mint was discontinued during World War ll due to the Japanese invasion and occupation of the Philippines.
    During the 1942 through 1944 Japanese occupation of the Philippines, nearly all coins disappeared from circulation. In the occupied areas the Japanese collected all of the coins, melted them down, and shipped them back to Japan. The few pre-war coins that escaped the melting pots were hoarded and hid away until after the war. Most daily commerce was conducted with low denomination paper currency (Emergency or Guerilla Currency) printed by Guerrilla military units, local municipalities, or Military and Civilian Currency Boards authorized by General MacArthur or the Commonwealth government-in-exile under President Quezon.
    During the Japanese occupation there was a very active resistance movement in the Philippines, and allied intelligence was very much aware, of the economic situation in the islands, and the need to bring new coins and currency with them when they liberated the Philippines.
    In preparation for General MacArthur's return to the Philippines, the Treasury Department ordered the San Francisco Mint to strike millions of One Centavo coins. When American forces liberated the Philippines in 1944 - 1945 they brought with them Fifty Eight Million 1944-S One Centavo victory coins.
    The 1944-S USA-Philippine One Centavo uses the same obverse and reverse designs as the pre-war One Centavo. It has the same weight and diameter as the pre-war issues but uses a different wartime composition. The war-time alloy was made from salvaged shell casings and used no tin in order to conserve that strategic metal for the war effort. Since the resulting coins had no tin in them they are actually brass rather than bronze. The wartime brass alloy consisted of 95% copper and 5% zinc. This is the same alloy the mint used for the production of U.S. wartime pennies dated 1944-1946. The mint produced this alloy by combining ingots of pure copper with salvaged 70% copper shell casings.
    Business strikes of the 1937 through 1944 One Centavo often had strike issues. According to the classical reference book "United States Territorial Coinage For The Philippine Islands" by Neil Shafer: "Obverses usually found with very flat or depressed left shoulder of figure, and part of face and chest. Figure's right hand better struck than previous years. Left side of anvil's edge is found slightly rounded. Many reverses in uncirculated condition are found with flattening on lower and center sections of Coat-of-Arms; also, some or most of words "Commonwealth of the Philippines" on the ribbon not readable. On many 1937-M pieces the mint-mark just barely shows or is not visible. Later issues (1938-1941) show a change in style of mint-mark from a square M to a narrow M, which resulted in better clarity of mint-mark on the coins. It is far more difficult to arrive at a proper grading for the Commonwealth issues because of the very poor striking on the Coat-of-Arms and ribbon." (Shafer, 1961, p.37-38)
    The 1937-1944 One Centavo has four recognized Die Varieties:
    1938-M Repunched Date (Allen number 3.02a)
    1944-S Double Die Reverse Variety #1 (Allen number 3.06a)
    1944-S Double Die Reverse Variety #2 (Allen number 3.06aa)
    1944-S Base of Last 4 Missing At Left Side (Allen number 3.06b)
    The 1944-S One Centavo is generally the best struck year of issue and the easiest and most economical example of this Type Coin to find in Gem condition. Certified specimens of the 1944-S One Centavo in MS 65 RD and MS66 RD are readily available from dealers that specialize in USA-Philippine coins at a very reasonable price. High quality examples of the pre-war One Centavo are scarcer and well struck Full Red Gems can be a challenge to locate.
    The attached picture shows my 1944-S USA-Philippines One Centavo MS 67 RED. For high resolution images of this coin go to: http://www.pcgs.com/TrueView/large/05912275.jpg
    The combined PCGS/NGC certified population for this coin in MS67 Red is only 11 coins with none graded higher.
    This FULL RED SUPERB GEM is a die variety with the BASE OF THE LAST 4 MISSING AT THE LEFT SIDE (Allen number 3.06b). The 2008-2009 edition of the Allen guide book lists the hi

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  6. JAA
    Today is the sixty-eighth anniversary of the start of the largest campaign of the Pacific War, the Liberation of the Philippines.
    On October 20, 1944 an allied invasion force of over 200,000 ground troops under the command of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur landed on the island of Leyte in the central Philippines. At sea in support of the land forces were over 200,000 sailors and airmen of the most formable naval force ever assembled. Throughout the Philippines over 120,000 Philippine Guerilla troops were waiting to rise and strike as the lines of battle rolled forward to bring them within the zone of operations.
    The land and naval battles fought to liberate the Philippines were on a scale never before seen in the Pacific War.
    The Battle of Leyte Gulf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte_Gulf fought off the islands of Leyte and Samar between October 23 - 26 1944 was the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria the largest naval battle in history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largest_naval_battle_in_history
    Viewed from the commitment of U.S. Army ground forces the Philippine campaign was the largest of the Pacific war. It was exceeded in size during World War ll only by the drive across northern France. The Philippine campaign differed from others in the Pacific war in that it alone provided opportunity for the employment of mass and maneuver on a Corps and Field Army level. The campaign also included the only protracted action by U.S. forces in a big city during World War ll, the month long fiercely fought Battle of Manila.
    My father served in the U.S. Army during World War ll and participated in the ground campaign to liberate the Philippines. During the Philippine campaign he took a number of extraordinary color photographs which I have featured in previous Journal entries.
    To see some of the color photos taken by my father during the liberation of the Philippines and the stories behind them visit any of the following Journal entries:
    "Belated New Year's Resolutions - Historic World War II Photograph of the Liberation of the Philippines (Ft. Stotsenburg & Clark Field)" - Photo of Ft. Stotsenburg & Clark Field
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10743
    "The Liberation of the Philippines: Manila the Approach March (Picture of Destroyed Highway and Railroad Bridges)" - Photo of the destroyed Route 3 and Manila Railroad Bridges over the Pampanga River at Calumpit.
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10929
    "Liberation of the Philippines: Manila the Approach March (Picture of XIV Corps Crossing Heavy Pontoon Bridge)" - Photo of the Heavy Pontoon Bridge constructed by XIV Corps engineers over the Pampanga River at Calumpit.
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10982
    "Eye Witness to History: The Battle of Manila and the destruction of the U.S. Manila Branch Mint" - Night photo of the Battle of Manila
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10486
    "Eye Witness to History: The Battle of Manila - Additional Picture" - Photo of Public Building Destroyed during the Battle of Manila
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10495
    "Promises Kept" - Photo of Malacanan Palace, the seat of government for the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=11657
    "A Tribute to My Father on His 93 Birthday" - Photo of my father in front of Malacanan Palace
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=12189
    The photo attached to today's Journal entry was taken by my father in February 1945 during the Battle of Manila. It shows a destroyed Japanese medium tank. Note that the turret and right track have been shot off.

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  7. JAA
    My newest Custom Registry Set ("USA-Philippines Top Pops") showcases my USA-Philippines Top Pop specimens. All USA-Philippines Top Pop coins are very special and the five coins in this set comprise quite a spectacular numismatic quintet.
    1904 Half Centavo PF 66 RB (Combined NGC/PCGS Population 4/0). The obverse of this rare Top Pop specimen is a beautiful uniform Dark Cherry Red. The reverse is 90% Red with Dark Cherry Red periphery toning. A truly beautiful coin!
    1904 One Centavo PF 67 RB (Combined NGC/PCGS Population 2/0). This beautiful SUPERB GEM is one of only two specimens in this lofty grade with none graded higher. Both obverse and reverse of this spectacular beauty have deep mirror surfaces. The obverse is beautifully red, green, purple, and gold toned while the reverse is an untoned Golden Red.
    1944-S One Centavo MS 67 (Combined NGC/PCGS Population 12/0). This FULL RED SUPERB GEM is a die variety with the base of the last 4 missing at the left side (Allen number 3.06b). The 2012 edition of the Allen guide book lists the highest certified grade for this die variety at MS66 making this coin unique in MS67 RED.
    1932-M Five Centavos MS 65 (Combined NGC/PCGS Population 16/0). This lustrous Top Pop Gem has attractive red, blue, and gold rainbow toning highlighting the obverse volcano.
    1945-S Fifty Centavos MS 67 (Combined NGC/PCGS Population 23/0). This SUPERB GEM is fully brilliant with great eye appeal.
     
    Visit my "USA-Philippine Top Pops" Custom Registry Set at:
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=11370
     
    The coin pictured is the obverse of my 1904 USA-Philippines One Centavo PF67RB

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  8. JAA
    Today's Journal entry is the third installment in my weekly series on the United States coinage for the Philippine Islands. The second of the twenty slots that compose a NGC USA-Philippines Type Set is the One Centavo of 1903 - 1936.
    The 1903 -- 1936 One Centavo encompasses the longest date range of any slot in the USA-Philippines Type Set. The coins in this slot include business strikes in 29 dates, five dates with proof issues, and 15 recognized die varieties.
    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.
    1920 was a transitional year where One Centavos were produced at both the San Francisco and Manila mints. During the first half of the year 1920-S One Centavos were struck at the San Francisco Mint. 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 ll 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 only 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 1903 USA-Philippines One Centavo PR66 RD (Ex: Dr. Greg Pineda Philippine Collection). This gorgeous specimen is a blazing Full Red.
    To see my One Centavo Registry Set click here: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51347&Ranking=all
    The highlights of this Registry Set are my 1903 PR66 RD (Ex: Dr. Greg Pineda Philippine Collection), 1904 PF67 RB (Ex: Just Having Fun Collection), and 1932-M MS66 RD.
    Another One Centavo Registry Set that I recommend visiting is the set owned by coin928. This amazing One Centavo collection is 100% complete and all coins are fully described and illustrated. The coin928 USPI-1C Registry set is the second ranked One Centavo Registry Set and the top ranked set when only NGC coins are considered. To visit the coin928 USPI-1C Registry Set click here: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=34793&Ranking=ngc
    To see the other coins that comprise an NGC USA-Philippines Type Set visit my award winning (2011 Best Presented Set Award) USA-Philippines Type Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51257&;;amp;Ranking=all
    An expanded version of the USA-Philippines Type Set is found in my Custom USA-Philippines Type Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9238
    Next week's installment will feature the One Centavo of 1937 - 1945.

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  9. JAA
    Congratulations Doug (dadams) on your correct answer to my Just for Fun quiz. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=12235
    QUESTION: What U.S. BRANCH MINT produced coins in 1920 and 1921 with no Mint Mark and what denominations were involved?
    ANSWER: The U.S. Manila Branch Mint produced coins in 1920 and 1921 with no Mint Marks. The denominations involved were One Centavo, Five Centavos, Ten Centavos, Twenty Centavos, and Fifty Centavos.
    The U.S. Manila Branch Mint opened on July 15, 1920. The Manila Mint was the only United States branch mint ever established outside the continental limits of the U.S.A. The mint had a daily output of 85,000 pieces, and an annual capacity of 25,000,000 coins.
    The Manila mint did not use a mint-mark on its coinage of 1920, 1921, and 1922. In 1920 and 1921 the Manila Mint produced One Centavo, Five Centavos, Ten Centavos, Twenty Centavos, and Fifty Centavos coins. It also produced One Centavo coins in 1922. No Philippine coins were struck anywhere during 1923 or 1924. The Manila mint re-opened in 1925; from then through 1941 all U.S.-Philippine regular and commemorative issue were struck there and all bore the mint-mark "M".
    For more information on the history of the Manila Mint visit my "United States Manila Mint" Custom Registry Set at:
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=1113
    The attached pictures show the reverse sides of a 1920 and 1935-M Ten Centavos. Both coins were produced at the U.S. Manila Branch Mint. On the left is a 1920 Ten Centavos. Like all coins produced at the Manila Mint from 1920 through 1922 there is no mint mark. On the right is a 1935-M Ten Centavos. The "M" Mint mark is located below the dot on the left side of the date.

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  10. JAA

    Just for Fun Quiz

    By JAA,

    Greetings fellow Collectors Society Members. Just for fun test your numismatic knowledge or research skills by answering the following two part question: What U.S. BRANCH MINT produced coins in 1920 and 1921 with no Mint Mark and what denominations were involved?
    I will give you three hints.
    (1) The answer is not Philadelphia.
    (2) Five denominations of coins were involved.
    (3) You can find the answer to both parts of this question in the "Red Book".
    Enter your answers under the "Discus on Chat Boards" link below. I will post the answer and the story behind these coins next week.
    Click here for the answer to this quiz, pictures and the story behind these coins: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=12251
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  11. JAA
    Today's Journal entry is the second installment in my weekly series on the United States coinage for the Philippine Islands. The first of the twenty slots that compose a NGC USA-Philippines Type Set is the 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 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 my 1903 USA-Philippines Half Centavo PR66 RD (Ex: Dr. Greg Pineda Philippine Collection). This gorgeous specimen is a blazing Full Red.
    To see my most spectacular Half Centavo visit my "Rainbow Toned" 1903 PR65 RB (Ex: Dr. Greg Pineda Philippine Collection) at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinView.aspx?sc=181506
    To see additional Half Centavos visit my Half Centavo Registry Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=77008&Ranking=all
    The highlights of this Registry Set are my 1903 PR66 RD (Ex: Dr. Greg Pineda Philippine Collection), 1904 PR66 RB (Ex: Just Having Fun Collection), 1905 PR64 RD (Ex: Louis E. Eliasberg Senior Collection), and 1908 PF65 RD.
    To see the other coins that comprise an NGC USA-Philippines Type Set visit my award winning (2011 Best Presented Set Award) USA-Philippines Type Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51257&;amp;Ranking=all
    An expanded version of the USA-Philippines Type Set is found in my Custom USA-Philippines Type Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9238
    Next week's installment will feature the One Centavo of 1903 -- 1936.

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  12. JAA
    Greetings fellow Collectors Society members. Today's Journal entry is the first in a twenty-one week series that I will be posting on the United States coinage for the Philippine Islands. Each week I will describe in detail one of the twenty slots that compose a NGC USA-Philippines Type Set.
    United States coinage for the Philippine Islands is one of the most interesting and historically important series of U.S. coins.
    After the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American war of 1898, the Philippines, along with Puerto Rico, became United States possessions. Although regular U.S. coins and paper money were used in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, the economy of the Philippines was too poor to use the U.S. dollar. In 1902 a bill was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt authorizing a new and distinct coinage to be struck for use in the United States Territory of the Philippines. The Philippines is the only U.S. possession for which a separate coinage was ever produced.
    The "Peso" was established as the basic economic unit for the new coinage and paper money. The official valve for the Philippine Peso was established at 50 Cents U.S. This exchange rate remained constant from 1903 through 1946.
    In addition to the silver Peso minor silver coins were struck in Fifty Centavos, Twenty Centavos, and Ten Centavos and base medal coins were struck in Five Centavos, One Centavo, and Half Centavo denominations. The coins were designed by Philippine artist Melicio Figueroa and engraved by Charles Barber.
    Except for proof issues the Half Centavo was discontinued after 1904. Rising silver prices necessitated a reduction in the size, weight and fineness of the four silver coins starting in 1907. In order to avoid confusion with the reduced size Twenty Centavos the size and weight of the Five Centavos was reduced in 1930.
    In 1935 the Philippines were granted Commonwealth status and in 1936 the Manila Mint produced a set of three coins to commemorate the occasion. In 1936 the common reverse design of all USA-Philippine coins was changed to reflect the new Commonwealth status.
    U.S./Philippine coins were issued from 1903 through 1945 (USA-Philippines proof coins were only produced for five years; 1903 through 1906 and again in 1908). U.S./Philippine coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint from 1903 through 1908 and the San Francisco Mint from 1903 through 1919. In 1920 a United States Branch Mint was established in Manila. The Manila Mint produced all of the U.S./Philippine coinage from 1920 through 1941. The Manila Mint was the only United States branch mint ever established outside the continental limits of the United States. The Manila mint was destroyed during World War ll. 1944 and 1945 U.S./Philippine coins were struck at the Philadelphia, Denver or San Francisco Mints.
    Unlike other colonial powers the U.S. always had intentions of giving the Philippine Islands full independence once the basis for good government was established. In 1935 a Constitution for the Philippines was approved and the Philippines were granted Commonwealth status. On July 4th 1946 the Republic of the Philippines became a free and independent nation. The U.S. issued coins remained in use in the Philippines until the mid 60's.
    To visit my award winning (2011 Best Presented Set Award) USA-Philippines Type Set click here: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51257&Ranking=all
     
    An expanded edition of my USA-Philippines Type Set is found in my Custom USA-Philippines Type Set: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9238
    The primary difference between the two sets is that my Custom Set includes three additional slots to accommodate the 1928-M Twenty Centavos MULE, the Wartime Alloy One Centavo, and the Wartime Alloy Five Centavos coins. Another difference between the two sets is that several slots in this set have been upgraded to display coins with a higher technical grade and better eye appeal than their counterpart in my Competitive Type Set.
    The attached picture shows the United States Manila Branch Mint circa 1920. To learn more about the history of the U.S. Manila Mint and the coins and medals produced there visit my "United States Manila Mint" Custom Registry Set at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=1113

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  13. JAA

    Registry Set Milestone

    By JAA,

    With my most recent acquisition, a 1906 PR65 Five Centavos, my "USA-Philippines, Proof Issues" Registry Set has reached a major milestone; it is now 60% complete.
    Of all the coins in the USA-Philippines series the proofs are my favorites. Proofs really bring out the full beauty of artist Melico Figueroa's designs and many of the Gems in my collection are absolutely gorgeous.
     
    USA-Philippines proof coins were struck for only five years and in very small quantities compared to modern proof coins.
    The 1906 Five Centavos is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of only 500 specimens. The combined NGC/PCGS population for this coin in PF65 is 19 specimens with 26 specimens graded higher.
    A 1905 Five Centavos in PF65 is entitled to 1676 Registry Points. I have added this coin to the following Registry Sets:
    "USA-Philippines, Proof Issues": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51344&Ranking=all
    "1906 Proof Set": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=143086&Ranking=all
    "Five Centavos": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=68601&Ranking=all
    "USA-Philippines, Complete": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=68602&Ranking=all

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  14. JAA

    The One That Got Away

    By JAA,

    Today's Stack's Bowers auction had a number of very nice USA-Philippines coins including a 1905 NGC PF63 Peso that I was bidding on.
    The 1905 Peso is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of only 471 coins making it the lowest mintage USA-Philippines Peso. The specimen that I was bidding on, Lot # 40716, had very attractive toning and was graded NGC PF63.
    The Allen catalog price for a 1905 Peso in PF63 is $1100.00. Going into the auction my internet pre-bid of $900.00 ($1057.50 with buyer's premium) was the high bid so I thought that I had a reasonable chance of taking home this coin.
    When the lot came up for live bidding I was nosed out by a floor bidder who bid $950.00 ($1116.25 with buyer's premium).
    Too bad it would have been a nice addition to my collection.
    The attached Photo is the Stack's Bowers auction catalog photo of the one that got away.

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  15. JAA
    My father was born ninety-three years ago today on October 1, 1919. The "JAA USA/Philippines Collection" is dedicated to his memory.
    My father belonged to the "Greatest Generation". During World War ll he served in the U.S. Army in the Southwest Pacific where he participated in the New Guinea, Luzon, and Southern Philippine campaigns. When my father returned from the war he brought back with him examples of coins and notes from Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines as well as some amazing Kodachrome slides he took during the war.
    Even though many decades have passed since my father first showed me the coins and notes he collected in the Southwest Pacific I still remember my initial fascination with dad's strange U.S. Philippine notes and coins.
    They all clearly stated "United States of America" on them but had designs that I had never seen on any circulating U.S. coin or note. Even stranger their denominations were in Pesos and Centavos instead of the familiar Dollars and Cents. As I grew older and became a serious junior collector I came to realize the historical importance of my father's "Victory Notes" and coins.
    Although my father was not a coin collector he was always very supportive of my hobby. When I was eleven or twelve I joined a local coin club and dad would always make time from his busy schedule to attend the monthly meeting with me.
    My father is responsible for my interest in both the numismatics and history of the Philippines under U.S. Sovereignty. In addition to the coins, notes, and color slides that my father brought back with him he had many wondrous stories of his war time buddies, the warm Australian and Philippine civilians, the Philippine Guerrillas, and of course General MacArthur.
    My father was assigned to GHQ (General Headquarters Southwest Pacific Area) where his duties occasionally brought him into direct contact with the General MacArthur. Of course there were hundreds of staff at GHQ and my father was only a lowly Warrant Officer. One of my father's fondest memories and favorite stories was the time that he shared an elevator with the General MacArthur when GHQ was still in Australia and the general greeted him by name and inquired how he was doing.
    For many decades my father talked about making a return visit to Australia and the Philippines. That never happened. My father passed away in 2004 two days after his 85th birthday.
    When my father died I inherited the letters he wrote during the war, his priceless Kodachrome slides, and the coins and notes he collected in the Southwest Pacific. While his "Victory Notes" and coins may not be in the best condition I will always treasure them more highly than the rarest GEMS in my collection.
    For a picture of some of the original Kodachrome slides taken by my father, during the liberation of the Philippines, and the Philippine coins and "Victory Notes" he brought back with him from World War ll see my previous Journal entry: "Remembering Dad": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=11556 Note the "MADE IN AUSTRALIA" and "APPROVED FOR MAILING U.S. CENSOR" stamp on the slides, and the "VICTORY" overprint on the note.
    To see some of the color photos taken by my father during the liberation of the Philippines and the stories behind them visit any of the following Journal entries:
    "Belated New Year's Resolutions-Historic World War II Photograph of the Liberation of the Philippines (Ft. Stotsenburg & Clark Field)" -- Photo of Ft. Stotsenburg & Clark Field http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10743
    "The Liberation of the Philippines: Manila the Approach March (Picture of Destroyed Highway and Railroad Bridges)" -- Photo of the destroyed Route 3 and Manila Railroad Bridges over the Pampanga River at Calumpit. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10929
    "Liberation of the Philippines: Manila the Approach March (Picture of XIV Corps Crossing Heavy Pontoon Bridge)" -- Photo of the Heavy Pontoon Bridge constructed by XIV Corps engineers over the Pampanga River at Calumpit. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10982
    "Eye Witness to History: The Battle of Manila and the destruction of the U.S. Manila Branch Mint" - Night photo of the Battle of Manila http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10486
    "Eye Witness to History: The Battle of Manila - Additional Picture" -- Photo of Public Building Destroyed during the Battle of Manila http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10495
    "Promises Kept"- Photo of Malacanan Palace, the seat of government for the Commonwealth of the Philippines. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=11657
    The picture attached to this Journal posting shows my father in front of Malacanan Palace, the seat of government for the Commonwealth of the Philippines. The photo was taken shortly after the Battle of Manila (February 3 -- March 3, 1945).
    Happy birthday Dad, and thanks for everything.

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  16. JAA
    The 1904 USA-Philippines One Centavo PF67 RB is an ULTRA RARE Top Pop beauty with a Combined NGC/PCGS Population of only two specimens.
    For the back-story on this coin and photo of the obverse see my Journal entry "The Rarest of the Rare": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=12172
    The photo attached to this Journal entry is the reverse side of this amazing specimen.
    The photos really do not do justice to this spectacular beauty. Both obverse and reverse have deep mirror surfaces. The obverse is beautifully red and gold toned while the reverse is an untoned Full Blazing Red.
    I am delighted to add this great treasure to my prize winning (2011 Best Presented Set) "JAA USA/Philippines Type Set Collection": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51257&;amp;Ranking=all

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  17. JAA

    The Rarest of the Rare

    By JAA,

    All Gem quality USA-Philippine proof coins are rare and PF67 Superb Gems are Ultra Rare treasures. The 1904 One Centavo in PF67RB is one of those very special coins. This Top Pop treasure has a combined NGC/PCGS population of two with no specimens graded higher.
    USA-Philippine Proof Sets were only manufactured for five years (1903 through 1906 and again in 1908) and all were extremely small mintages compared to today's modern proof sets. The mintages for USA-Philippine Proof Sets by year are; 1903 (2,558), 1904 (1,355), 1905 (471), 1906 (500) and 1908 (500). Thus for the full five year run of this series only 5,384 proof specimens were struck for each denomination. If you count all seven denominations only 37,688 USA-Philippine proof coins were ever made.
    Of course the total number of surviving Gem Proofs is much less than the original, already low, mintage. At the turn of the 20th century the U.S. Mint had not developed the protective packaging that is used today. "USA-Philippine Proof Sets were not sold in any sort of protective packaging or cases but were contained in plain paper coin envelopes and each coin was wrapped individually in thin tissue paper. This method of packaging has contributed to the micro thin hairline scratches seen on most proof coins as well as the heavy toning often seen. Gem coins are quite RARE and all are scarce due to the low mintages" (Allen 2008). In addition it isn't unusual to see USA-Philippine proof coins with high technical grades but unattractive toning. Gem Proofs with above average eye appear are very special treasures and the few SUPERB GEM PF67 and PF68 specimens are the rarest of the rare.
    No USA-Philippine Proof coin of any denomination or year has ever been graded PF70 or PF69 by one of the major grading services and you can probably count the total number of PF68 specimens on your fingers and toes. Proof 67 specimens of any year or denomination are ULTRA RARE and extraordinary treasures.
    Of the 5,384 proof One Centavos produced between 1903 and 1908 NGC and PCGS combined have only graded thirteen (13) specimens PF67 and one (1) PF68. I am extremely honored to be the new custodian for one of those coins.
    I have always wanted to add a PF67 USA-Philippine coin to my collection but until now that prize has always alluded me. Last Sunday's (9/23/12) Teletrade Auction 3351 offered a large selection of USA-Philippines coins. Lot number 2821 was an ULTRA RARE (R-9.9) 1904 USA-Philippines One Centavo graded NGC PF67 RB. I was fortunate to win this coin for the reserve price of $600.00 ($690.00 with buyer's premium).
    The combined NGC/PCGS population for this TOP Pop beauty is two (2) specimens with none graded higher. The 1904 One Centavo in PF67 RB receives 1958 Registry Points.
    I am delighted to add this great treasure to my prize winning (2011 Best Presented Set) "JAA USA/Philippines Type Set Collection": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51257&Ranking=all
    Additional Registry sets that this coin was added to include the following:
    "USA-Philippines, Proof Issues": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51344&Ranking=all
    "1904 Proof Set": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=143091&Ranking=all
    "One Centavo": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51347&Ranking=all
    "USA-Philippines, Complete": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=68602&Ranking=all
    "USA/Philippines Type Set (Expanded Edition": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9238
    "Philippine Pedigrees": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=10670
    The attached photo is the obverse of my 1904 One Centavo NGC PF67RB.
    For a photo of the reverse of this amazing specimen click here: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=12179

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  18. JAA
    When NGC created its new "NGC Coins" filter I decided to take a fresh look at my "USA-Philippines, Complete" Registry Sets to see if I could reshuffle them to create a number one "NGC Coins" set.
    When I started out my "JAA USA/Philippines Complete Collection" registry set: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=68602&Ranking=all ranked number 5 when viewed with the "All Coins" filter and number 2 when viewed with the "NGC Coins" filter. In addition to my primary "USA-Philippines, Complete" registry set I had two additional "USA-Philippines, Complete" registry sets which I used to keep track of my duplicates.
    After experimenting with various scenarios I discovered that if I swapped out my PCGS 1945-S One Centavo (MS67 Red) for a NGC 1945-S One Centavo (MS66 Red) in one of my duplicate sets I could have the number 1 ranked "NGC Coins" "USA-Philippines, Complete" registry set and still keep my number 5 ranking when the set is viewed through the "All Coins" filter.
    Since at least some of the PCGS coins in my "USA-Philippines, Complete" duplicate sets my now exceed the numerical grade of a comparable NGC coin in my primary "USA-Philippines, Complete" registry set the term "duplicate set" is really no longer appropriate. I have therefore changed the name of my duplicate sets to "JAA USA-Philippines, Complete Set #2" http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=142296&Ranking=all and "JAA USA-Philippines, Complete Set #3" http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=142316&Ranking=ngc
    The attached picture is the PCGS 1945-S One Centavo (MS67 Red) that I moved to my "JAA USA-Philippines, Complete Set #2".
    One of the unique features of the 1945-S One Centavo was that it used a special wartime brass alloy manufactured from recycled naval gun shells. For more information on the 1945-S One Centavo see my journal entry "Battlefield Brass to Brass Centavo - No Tin about it!" at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=10706
    The combined PCGS/NGC certified population for the 1945-S One Centavo in MS67 Red is 12 coins with none graded higher.
    This particular specimen is a die variety (Allen # 3.06b) which has the "Base of the Last 4 Missing at the Left Side". The 2012 edition of the Allen guide book lists the highest certified grade for this die variety at MS66 making this coin unique in MS67 RED. For more information regarding this die variety and a close-up picture of the date view this coin at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinView.aspx?sc=156146

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  19. JAA
    For background on the 1928-M USA-Philippines Twenty Centavos Mule (Muled with Five Centavos Reverse Die) see my previous Journal entry "Those Amazing Mules: A Tale of Two Mules" at: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=12142
    The coin on the left side of the attached photo, a 1929-M Twenty Centavos, represents the regular 1907 - 1929 Twenty Centavos reverse. The regular Twenty Centavos reverse has a broader shield and smaller date than the 1928-M Mule.
    The coin on the right is a 1928-M Twenty Centavos Mule. Note the narrower shield and larger date.

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  20. JAA
    My 1904 USA/Philippines Half Centavo PCGS PR66RB (Combined NGC/PCGS Population 4/0) arrived in the mail today and it is a real beauty much nicer than the Teletrade photos.
    In the Teletrade photos the obverse of this specimen appeared to be primarily brown. The obverse is actually a beautiful uniform Dark Cherry Red over a pristine mirror surface. The reverse which appeared to be a mix of Red and Brown in the Teletrade photo is actually 90% Red with Dark Cherry Red periphery toning. A truly beautiful coin!
    The attached photo shows the obverse side of this specimen.
    For the back story on this coin and photo of the obverse click here: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=12135

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  21. JAA
    A Mule is a coin struck from two dies not originally intended to be used together. During the forty-seven years that the Philippines were under United States sovereignty the mint produced two mules, one by mistake in 1918 and the other intentionally in 1928. The story of these two Mules is one of the most interesting in U.S./Philippine numismatics.
    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 November 1906 the bullion value of Philippine silver coins had risen to 13.2% over their face value. On December 6, 1906 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. 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 new 20mm "Reduced Size and Weight" Twenty Centavos was very similar in size to the 20.5mm diameter Five Centavos mistakes were bound to follow. In 1918 inattentive mint employees accidentally muled a normal Five Centavos obverse die with the reverse die of a 1918-S Twenty Centavos. The regular reverse has a narrower shield and a large date, while the mule with the Twenty Centavos reverse bears a broad shield with a small date. A very small percentage of the 1918-S Five Centavos are Mules. The 1918-S Mule is among the rarest and most sought after USA/Philippine coins. The major grading services have only graded forty-three 1918 Mules in any grade and only nineteen in mint state. The 2012 Allen catalog of "U.S./Philippine Coins" lists the following prices for the 1918-S Mule: AU $2000.00, MS60 $6,750.00, and MS63 $15,000.00.
    Unlike the 1918-S Five Centavos MULE, which was made in error, the 1928-M Twenty Centavos MULE was made intentionally. All 1928-M Twenty Centavos are "MULES", combining the regular Twenty Centavos obverse die with a regular Five Centavos reverse die. In 1928 the Manila Mint received a rush order from the banking community for Twenty Centavos pieces. Since no reverse dies for Twenty Centavos had been sent from Philadelphia that year, the only suitably sized reverse die available was that used for Five Centavos coins. A 1927 Five Centavos die was altered and used for the 1928 Twenty Centavos. The underdate feature is faint at best and is rarely if ever detectable. The reverse of the 1928-M Twenty Centavos Mule bears a narrower shield and larger date than other 1907 - 1929 Twenty Centavos.
    The 1928/7-M Twenty Centavos MULE had a Mintage of only 100,000 coins making it the lowest mintage "Reduced Size & Weight" Twenty Centavos and a key date in the Twenty Centavos series. While not nearly as rare as the 1918-S Five Centavos Mule the 1928/7 Twenty Centavos Mule is still a very desirable coin and difficult to find in AU or better. The major grading services have only graded sixty-two 1928/7-M Mules in any grade and only thirty-five in mint state. The 2012 Allen catalog of "U.S./Philippine Coins" lists the following prices for the 1928/7-M Mule: AU $250.00, MS60 $850.00, MS63 $1,850.00, and MS65 $4,500.00.
    In order to eliminate any future confusion between Twenty Centavos and Five Centavos reverse dies the size of the Five Centavos coin was reduced from 20.5mm to 19mm in 1930.
    The coin pictured is the reverse (mule side) of a 1928/7-M Twenty Centavos Mule, graded PCGS AU55, which I purchased for $250.00 ($287.50 with buyer's premium) in last Sunday's Teletrade auction (Auction 3347 - Sunday, September 16, 2012 - Lot 2622). Although I paid slightly more than book value I really liked the eye appeal of this well struck problem free Choice AU specimen and it will make a nice place holder until I can afford a higher grade example. In AU55 this coin has a Combined PCGS/NGC Population of 2/52.
    With 1490 Registry Points this specimen will made a nice addition to my "Twenty Centavos" Registry Set: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51345&Ranking=all
    Since the 1928/7-M Mule is an intentional design change from the regular 1907 - 1929 Twenty Centavos I have also added this coin to my Custom "USA/Philippines Type Set (Expanded Edition)": http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9238
    I have also added the 1928/7 Mule to my "United States Manila Mint" Custom Registry Set: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=1113

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  22. JAA
    My latest Top Pop acquisition is a USA/Philippines Half Centavo in PR66RB (Combined NGC/PCGS Population 4/0).
    The 1904 Proof Half Centavo had a mintage of 1,355. Despite its relatively high mintage compared to other years in this series proof 1904 Half Centavos in this grade are much rarer than the mintage figures would suggest. PCGS Coin Facts lists the "Relative Rarity by Type" for 1904 Half Centavos in PR65RB or above as the rarest in the series and assigns it a grade rarity of R-8.5. Of the five years that proof Half Centavos were produced 1904 is the only year that no specimens have been graded PF67 by any of the major grading services. Not only is PF66 the Top Grade for this year but the total number of available specimens in this grade is extremely small. The Combined PCGS/NGC Population for 1904 Half Centavos in PF66 is only 3 PF66BN, 4 PF66RB, and 3 PF66RD.
    Top Pop USA/Philippine coins are normally only seen at major highly publicized auctions where bidding can be very competition and often exceeds book value. Imagine my surprise when I found this little Gem in a Teletrade internet auction (Auction 3347 - Sunday, September 16, 2012 - Lot 2584) and won it for the "Opening Bid" of $250.00 ($287.50 with buyer's premium). The 2012 Allen Catalog of "U.S./Philippine Coins" lists the price for a 1904 Half Centavo in PF65 as $225.00. Allen suggests that as a rule of thumb a proof 66 specimen should be priced at from 60% to 90% higher than the listed PF-65 price. Based upon that standard the FMV for a 1904 PR66 Half Centavo would be between $360.00 and $427.50.
    I'm really happy to add this little Gem to my Half Centavo Registry Set. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=77008&Ranking=all
    Attached is the Teletrade image of the reverse of my 1904 Half Centavo PR66RB.
    For photo of the obverse side of this specimen click here: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=12149

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  23. JAA

    My Wife the Penny Hoarder

    By JAA,

    My wife is a penny hoarder. For years she has kept a jar of pennies on the kitchen counter which she regularly adds to by saving the pennies in her pocket change, cleaning out my pockets and stopping to pick up every penny she sees lying in the street.
    My wife is not a coin collector by any stretch of the imagination. In fact she knows absolutely nothing about numismatics and does not understand why anyone would pay more than face value for an old coin.
    When my wife was a little girl, her mother told her that it was good luck if you found a penny. Ever since then, she has been hooked on hoarding pennies. If one penny is lucky, think how much luck must surround a hoard of over a thousand pennies.
    Last week my wife announced that she could not squeeze another penny into the jar on the kitchen counter so she was going to cash them all in at the bank and start over. While this may not seem the logical action of an admitted penny hoarder, it makes sense when you consider that there is not an extra inch of unused counter space in our tiny kitchen. My wife either had to make room in the penny jar or stop acquiring every wayward penny that crossed her path.
    It took about five years for my wife to fill up her penny jar which held about 1200 pennies. My wife never looked very closely at the pennies that she saved, but she did mention that she thought that several of them were quite old and that the last time she had cashed in her pennies several had Indian Heads on them. When I heard that, I knew that I had to go through her hoard before she cashed them in.
    It took me a full evening to look at all of pennies in her hoard. I didn't find any Indian Head Pennies but I did find seven Wheaties the oldest dating from 1940. Although none of the Wheat Pennies were very valuable I was surprised by how much fun I had. It really took me back to my childhood. Every time I found another Wheatie I felt like a kid finding the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks.
    I plan to put the Wheaties aside until my grandchildren are old enough to be introduced to collecting. Then I can slip them into the pocket change that I give them to go through and watch their faces light up as they discover these treasures from the past.
    The attached picture shows the seven wheat pennies that I found in my wife's hoard.
    Top roll: 1940, 1940-S, 1943 (Steel penny)
    Middle roll: 1950-D, 1953-D, 1952-D
    Bottom roll: 1953-D

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  24. JAA

    A Difficult Decision

    By JAA,

    When you have only limited resources to devote to new purchases invariably you are confronted with some difficult decisions. This afternoon I was confronted with one of those tough choices.
    When I found out that the Stack's Bowers was offering a 1905 NGC PF67 USA-Philippines Five Centavos in their August 2012 Philadelphia ANA World's Fair of Money - Internet Only Auction I started to drool.
    The 1905 Five Centavos is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of only 471. This is the lowest mintage of any USA-Philippines Proof Five Centavos. SUPERB GEM PROOF Five Centavos are ULTRA RARE and this TOP POP coin is as rare as they come.
    NGC has graded only two coins in this lofty grade with no specimens graded higher. PCGS has graded three PR67 specimens with none graded higher. With a combined NGC/PCGS population of 5/0 this specimen would be the crown jewel in any USA-Philippines collection.
    The 2012 edition of U.S./Philippine Coins (Allen Catalog) lists the value of a 1905 Five Centavos in PF65 as $625.00. While the Allen catalog does not list prices for proof coins graded higher than PF65 the FMV for SUBERB GEMS would obviously be significantly higher. Stack's Bowers had an estimated hammer price of $500 - $700 for this specimen ($587.50 -- $822.50 with buyer's premium).
    I placed a bid of $760.00 ($893.00 with buyer's premium). Until twelve hours ago I was the high bidder on this coin. When I checked computer this morning I found an email from Stack's Bowers that I had been outbid. With the bid now at $810.00 ($951.75 with buyer's premium) I needed to bid $860.00 ($1,010.50 with buyer's premium) if I wanted to stay in the running.
    While $1,010.50 would not be an unreasonable price for such an Ultra Rarity you have to think twice when committing over a thousand dollars for a single coin. Although I very much WANTED this coin I really didn't NEED it. I already own a beautiful 1905 Five Centavos in PR65 that I purchased in the Dr. Greg Pineda Philippine Collection Auction http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=11522 and a thousand dollars could go a long way towards purchasing a coin that I do not own.
    I really agonized over the decision. For several hours I sat at my computer lodged on to the Stack's Bowers web site watching the clock run down to the 5PM (Central Time) auction closing. All I had to do was click the next bid button and I would be back in the running. In the end reason prevailed over emotion and I didn't increase my bid. The coin that I WANTED but didn't NEED sold for $810.00 ($951.75 with buyer's premium) only one bid higher than my final bid.
    Now that the excitement of the auction is over I'm thinking about which coins should logically be at the top of my want list and have identified three prime contenders:
    1) My first choice would be a 1906 Half Centavo in PF65 or higher. That would complete my Half Centavo Registry Set. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=77008&Ranking=all
    It would also add another coin to my 1906 Proof Set, USA-Philippines Proof Issues, and USA-Philippines Complete Registry Sets.
    2) Upgrade my 1908 PF62 Fifty Centavos to PF65. That would upgrade my number 1 ranked 1908 Proof Set. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=143079&Ranking=all
    It would also upgrade my award winning (2011 Best Presented Set) USA-Philippines Type Set. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51257&Ranking=all
    3) Upgrade my 1903 PF64 Peso to PF65. That would upgrade my number 1 ranked 1903 Proof Set to an all GEM set. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=143078&Ranking=all
    It would also upgrade my award winning (2011 Best Presented Set) USA-Philippines Type Set. http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=51257&Ranking=all
    The coin pictured is the obverse of the 1905 PF67 Five Centavos that was offered in today's Stack's Bowers internet auction.

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  25. JAA
    There was a lot of excitement when Teletrade announced that it was auctioning Philippine coins from the famous "Just Having Fun Collection". The auction which concluded last night had some very mixed results.
    The "Just Having Fun" collection ranks among one of the finest USA-Philippine collections ever assembled. The "Just Having Fun" NGC USA-Philippines Type set was the top ranked set in its category from 2004 through 2010.
    The "Just Having Fun" PCGS Registry Sets are even more spectacular. "Just Having Fun" has had the number one PCGS Registry set in every USA-Philippine category since 2005 and is the number one All Time Finest set for all Eras in those (19) categories.
    Unfortunately none of the 84 Philippine coins offered in the Teletrade auction #3327 were from those spectacular registry sets. The duplicates from the "Just Having Fun" collection were certainly nice coins but not the Ultra-Rare superstars that I had hoped for.
    Nevertheless. there were several coins in this offering that I was interested in and hoped to purchase if I could obtain them at a reasonable price. I placed a pre-auction maximum bid on several lots at what I felt would be a reasonable bid. When the live bidding started I discovered that all of my maximum bids were below the opening price.
    I was surprised by how overpriced the minimum opening bid was for many of the lots. As a result of the overpriced minimum opening bids the vast majority of lots were unsold at the end of the auction. Fifty-four (54) of the eighty-four (84) lots did not sell. The lots with a reasonable minimum opening bid generally sold at FMV or above.
    Without double the two most outstanding coins in this offering were lot # 2731 a 1935M PCGS MS65 Five Centavos, and Lot #2774 a 1908 PCGS PR64 Peso. The 1935M Five Centavos is a Top Pop coin with a combined NGC/PCGS population of 4/0 and an Allen Catalog value of $2500.00. The 1908 Peso is a PROOF ONLY ISSUE with a mintage of only 500 and an Allen Catalog value of $1350.00 in this grade. Both of these coins sold for significantly less than their book value. The 1935M Five Centavos MS65 sold for a hammer price of $900.00 ($1035.00 with buyer's premium). The 1908 PR64 Peso sold for a hammer price of $925.00 ($1,063.75 with buyer's premium). I bid $900.00 on the 1908 PR64 Peso but was outbid by $25.00. If only I had bid a little higher.
    I was successful in winning one lot in the Teletrade auction. My bid of $100.00 ($115.00 with buyer's premium) was the successful bid on lot # 2747 a 1935M NGC MS65 Ten Centavos. The Teletrade listing described this coin as "Gem. Well Struck. Pleasing surfaces. Lightly toned. Lustrous." The combined NGC/PCGS population for the 1935M Ten Centavos in this grade is 14 coins with only 6 graded finer.
    Although I already own a 1935M Ten Centavos in MS64 I was really impressed by the superior strike and eye appeal of the coin in the Teletrade auction.
    While this coin is not a superstar it is an attractive little GEM and a nice upgrade for my USA-Philippines Complete, Ten Centavos, and United States Manila Mint Registry Sets. It's also great to add a "Just Having Fun" pedigreed coin to my "Philippine Pedigrees" Custom Registry Set.
    Click here to see my "Philippine Pedigrees" Custom Registry Set: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=10670
    Click here to see my "The United States Manila Mint" Custom Registry Set: http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=1113
    The attached picture is the Teletrade image of the reverse side of my 1935M NGC MS65 Ten Centavos.

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