U.S.–Philippines Pesos — White or Toned?
RegistryCoin
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A little over a year ago, a beautifully white 1911-S U.S.–Philippines Peso graded MS67 sold for a record $120,000 at Heritage Auctions.
Now, the Platinum Session of this December’s Heritage Hong Kong sale features another MS67 1911-S Peso—this one richly toned with deep, iridescent color.
Only two coins of this rare date have ever graded MS67 at PCGS. Both are unquestionably spectacular.
Traditionally, collectors in the Philippines have favored brilliant white coins, while collectors in the United States often lean toward toned pieces.
Which would you choose—the pristine frost of white, or the depth and character of color?
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Comments
The toned one is slightly more appealing to me between these two. I have seen lower graded Pesos with stronger color though that I liked more.
Nothing about those coins is exciting enough for me to think they’re worth $120k (I realize they are standouts, but I’m not enamored by them), but just as coins, the toned one has a mark above the arm that I notice immediately, and the untoned one has two spots between UNITED STATES, but at least that’s not in the center of the design. That looks like white with a skin (not dipped white) and the toning doesn’t do a ton for me while the lustre also looks muted, though that could be a poor photo. I’d rather see them in hand, but as I see the photos, much as I like color is probably take the white one.
Cool post RegistryCoin. When I co-authored (with Justhavingfun RIP and my son Justin) the USPI Peso article published on the PCGS website about 8 years ago, I believe we noted just how rare the super low mintage 1911-S Peso was (and still is) in gem and superb gem quality. Both the toned and white superb gem coins shown here are masterpieces in the series. I’m sure Heritage will have much to say when the toned coin goes “live” in mid-November for their December World (Hong Kong) auction.
The USPI Pesos (struck in Philadelphia and San Francisco for our Territory at the time) in super high grade are far rarer than their Morgan Dollar counterparts. For the entire date run of 1903-1912 Pesos, there are only -2- MS67+ pop top coins! There used to be just -1- (the “Zerbe 1904 “World’s Fair” Peso coin). Just recently, that white 1911-S Peso became the second MS67+ coin for the Peso series!
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