Phililppines 1947 MacArthur

ecos

Hello All! My first post in the World coin forum.
After posting this in the US coin forum, I was informed that the 1947 half is truly Darkside. So I am posting it here with a few questions.
I just received this in the mail this afternoon and am very happy with the coin. I was really attracted to the toning and I was hoping to receive an UNC coin, but it is a AU by my grade. Anyway...

I noticed that the "DOU" and "ART" are doubled with a pretty nice spread. I am 99% sure this is hubbed and not mechanical doubling (maybe I can get a picture of it). Do all 1947 MacArthur's have this doubling or is there a known variety?
Does anyone one know the mintage figures of this coin?
Thanks for the help

tbirde56

It appears that all of both names are similarly 'doubled' on mine.
Mintage was 200,000.

Clankeye

In his guidebook of US/Phipippine Coins, Lyman L. Allen lists four varieties for the 1947 MacArthur 50 Centavos.

The regular variety (no doubling), a double die obverse variety, a double die reverse variety, and a double die obverse and reverse. He does not give individual mintage estimates for those. But, it would seem they are common enough.

Clankeye

oldshep

Hello ecos - that 50 centavos is a beauty - it probably is UNC as these usually are found with a very poor strike.
That is part of a set with a matching peso to go with it.
Here is my set also has doubling on the obverse in the names.


Shep

ecos

Thanks everyone for the info and pictures. A Double Die obverse is pretty cool; probably common, but cool.
I imagine it will take a lot of looking to find a matching toned Peso, but I will keep my eyes open.
It also appears tough to find a copy of Allen's Philippines book.
Thanks again for all of your help!
BTW oldshep, those are great looking coins!

Justhavingfun

Hello Ecos:

I've seen at least two dozen of these coins and every single one of them was double die obverse, with the doubling visible exactly where you say it is. So I'm coming around to your point of view that they're all like that. And if they're not, then the coins without the doubled die would be the rarity. LOL

The Lyman Allen book is readily available in the United States. The address in his fourth edition is Box 785, Virginia City, Nevada 89440. The cost is $25. It's helpful in giving the mintages and showing some of the important varieties. But there's little insight into the series in the book, and the prices are hopelessly low. Generally speaking, if you want to build a high-grade collection, you can't buy the coins anywhere near his listed prices.

There are two books that give better insight into the US Philippine series: "Coins, Medals and Tokens of the Philippines" by Basso; and "United States Territorial Coinage for the Philippine Islands" by Neil Shafer.

Both are unfortunately out-of-date for prices, and long, long out of print.

However, the Banknote Society of the Philippines (BNSP) has reprinted the Basso book which is rich in the lore and the facts about these coins. Their e-address is <bnsp@pacific.net.ph>. Ask for Carmen and I'm sure she'll be very happy to send you a copy at a modest price. The book is also often available on eBay, but the bidding can get rather intense and I've seen them go for close to $50.

The Shafer is also a wonderful book. Heck I just finished rereading it myself, for the umpteenth time, and each time I admire the job he did. That too often is for sale on eBay. Or if you go to any rare book Internet site, I'm sure you can pick up a copy there.

Welcome, and

I hope this helps,



Just Having Fun!

1jester

Welcome, ecos! Nice coin there!