Did you ever see a Wilson Dollar? It's a very large copper coin...

dan1ecu

Heritage has one:

1920 Wilson Dollar

Pretty! If it were a "real" coin, I'm sure it would be quite valuable.

Dan

Placid

Pretty cool. I wonder why it is called a dollar? I don't see any denomination suggested on the coin.

nwcs

Kinda ugly. But interesting.

Russellp23

Looks like a regular commem.

Weiss

Doesn't the "SC" designation mean it is a "so called" dollar? People collect things that are similar size and style to dollars.

earlwbollinger

It looks like child pornography to me.

cdwegner

commemorative for opening the Manila Mint. Interesting.. I wonder if it was minted there.

poorguy

Well, I'm not into coins having naked kids on them. I am not quite fully sure but it looks like the kid really is stark naked.

Where's Mad Marty? Wouldn't this fit nicely into his set of Cook Island coins?

291fifth

<< <i>Pretty cool. I wonder why it is called a dollar? I don't see any denomination suggested on the coin. >>



Early collectors referred to this type of medal as a "so-called dollar". The HK number refers to the Hibler-Kappen reference numbers as used in their 1963 book on "so-called dollars".

cdwegner

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=786&item=3923044626&rd=1

islemangu

Tonelover use to display one of the few/only?? struck in gold which I think he handled and sold. It was on his PI coins web site. http://www.philippinecoins.com/

MadMarty

I'm sure Breen liked that one! There are no kids on my Cook Islands coins!!!

Gemini

The medals commemorate the opening of United States Mint in Manilla, Phillipine Islands, July 16 1920 the only overseas mint ever established by our country.

Discovered by Ferdinand Magellan 1521 conquered by Spain islands were ceded to the US by treaty Dec 10 1898 following Spanish American War. Filipinos unable to obtain complete independence from US... after the war started guerilla warfare Feb 4 1899 finally crushed with the capture of their leader Emilio Aguinaldo March 23 1901.

As a conciliatory act US in 1903 began to strike special series of Phillipine Islands coins to replace Spanish colonial issues then in use; coins struck at both Philidelphia and San Francisco mints 1903 -1908 at former and 1903-1920 (1 centavo only in 1920) at latter. These issues have become the only "colonial" coinage ever struck under US authority. In the meantime Bureau of Mint proceeded with plans for islands to have own mint...
A.P. Fitzsimmons named mint Director used electrically operated coining euipment made in Philadelphia Mint machine shop and mint formally opened in 1920.

Medals designed by Clifford Hewitt who installed equipment and taught natives operation. dies by George Morgan of Philadelphia mint.
Limited to 2200 Silver and 3700 Copper pieces sold for 1$ and 50 cents.respectvely.

Obv. Woodrow Wilson beaded border.

Rev. Justice kneeling scales upraised hand upon shoulder of nude youth who is pouring planchets from cornicopia into coin press.

Silver size 24 rare
Copper rare.

(From Hibbler and Kappen So Called Dollars book)

cdwegner

Gem,

Do you know where the paper currency was printed?

c

Gemini

As a result of the Spanish American War of 1898 the United States took control of most of the Spanish Empire in the Caribbean and the Pacific. The war ended with Admiral Dewey blowing up the Spanish battleships in Manilla Harbor. By 1901 the American government had successfully replaced Spanish rule. On July 4 1946 the Phillipine government gained their independence when they became the Republic of the Phillipines.

>>Spanish-Phillipine currency is dated as early as 1852. In 1903 the first notes under American rule were issued. Four issues circulated from 1903 until the end of American authority. They are silver certificates, Treasury certificates, Phillipine National Bank circulating notes and the Bank of the Phillipines Islands notes. All four issues were printed by the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing.<<

AuldFartte

That's kinda neat. I've never seen one before

cdwegner

commemguy

Just to add to Gemini and islemangu's comments, five were struck in gold, and I believe only two of them are in private collections.

Gemini

Yes you are right commemguy I failed to mention that.
Of the five Wilson dollars struck in gold one was presented to President Wilson and one to the US Secretary of War. Three remained in the Phillipines and were lost during WW II. The two known extant were in the Dr.C.L.Emmons and the Kagin Reference collections. This information is contained in HK book of 1961 and I do not know where they may be held presently.