Newest arrival: Toned USA-Philippines Ten Centavos plus images of a toned Twenty Centavos & anot

USAROK

This arrived last week and I was finally able to take a reasonably good picture of it. The colors and luster really jump out when the coin is rotated. NGC MS65. I posted it on the Lightside but since 1jester mentioned that many people post USA-Philippines coins on the Darkside, I decided to share it here for those who don't make it over to the Lightside very often.




Here are the new images I promised of my Twenty Centavos icon coin. NGC MS66.

coinkat

great coin... very nice picture

AuldFartte

Nice photo, and really sharp colors

FilamCoins

Wonderful colors and a great coin

Do you know the history behind the 1904 (P) series and why there are so many surviving pieces in high grades?

USAROK

FilamCoins - Off the top of my head I believe they were minted for sale at the Philippine Exhibit of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition. I think 10,000 of each denomination were minted and sold as a set. Since they weren't minted for circulation but for collectors and as souvenirs many survive in high grades. I'll have to check my Allen and Shafer books when I get home to verify that I haven't mixed up the facts.

1jester

Thanks for sharing it with us over here, ROK!

It's a superb coin. I can't wait till JustHavingFun appears (which he undoubtedly will ) and endarkens us more with regards to this issue. I for one, would like to know why it exhibits such proof-like qualities. I could swear it's a proof. But as everyone knows, the plastic never lies!! And I'm woefully ignorant on Philippine coins.

cosmicdebris

Purdy piece.

USAROK

I just arrived home. Thanks to all for the nice comments regarding the coin and pictures!

I wasn't far off in my statement about the 1904 USA-Philippines coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint. To quote page 50 note (E) from the 5th Edition 2005-2006 of U.S. / Philippine Coins by Lyman L. Allen:

No silver coins were produced for circulation at the Philadelphia Mint in 1904. All of the 10, 20, and 50 Centavos and Pesos struck that year were made to fill an order for SPECIAL MINT SETS which was made through "official channels" by noted numismatist Farran Zerbe. 10,000 sets of the 1904 coinage were delivered to Zerbe who then placed them for sale at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition which was held in Saint Louis that year. The sets were sold at the Philippine exhibit.

Only 3,254 sets were sold in St. Louis, with the remaining coins being sent to the Philippine Treasury where another 500 sets were sold. The remaining 6,246 sets were then put into general circulation.

Many of the surviving mint set coins resemble proofs and early strikes are very deceptive. The Mint also produced 1,355 Proof sets for sale to collectors making a total of only 11,355 coins of each silver denomination. These are by far the lowest mintage of all regular issue U.S. Philippine coins, however the manner in which they were sold has resulted in a high survival rate of the coins in MS-60 or better condition.

I guess that explains 1jester's belief that the coin looks like a proof and FilamCoins' question (I know you knew the answer when you asked the question ) as to whether I knew the history of the 1904-P coins and why there are so many surviving pieces in high grades.

I'm trying to get a better picture of my icon coin which is a 1904-P Twenty Centavos that goes quite well with this Ten Centavos piece. I'll post it once I am successful.

USAROK

Edited for bad spelling. Hope I didn't miss any others.

wybrit

That's a great coin and picture!

Preussen

Very nice coin; great colors! Great pics, too - Preussen

USAROK

Since I'm in the mood to post pretty colored ten centavos coins, here's another. After trying for many months, tonight I finally took a picture that comes close to doing justice to this coin. NGC MS67.

MacCrimmon

Now those are two pretty coins.......please, quit tempting me!

shirohniichan

Beautiful coins! I look forward to seeing the 20 centavos.

ecos

Those are AMAZING!!!! I wish I could find those colors in those grades. I will certainly keep looking though!!! Great coins!!!!

EDIT: Great Photos too!

TaiNoHenka

Hi USAROK,

Wow, those 10 centavos of yours are beautiful!!! And your photography is just spectacular!!!
I love the way you were able to capture the luster and the lovely lovely toning on those coins.

Remember the proof that Justhavingfun described as

<< <i>-- One of the most beautifully toned pesos I've ever seen >>

...

I've spent the past month trying to get a good photograph of it. I must have taken more than a hundred test shots already, and a couple of times I came close to getting it right, but none, yet, are nearly as good as you've done for your coins USAROK. I'd really appreciate it if you can give me some tips...

Hi Mr. FilamCoins, you've seen that peso recently right? If I remember correctly, it was on the night of your enshrinement (thanks for that great session by the way, and see you soon)




<< <i>I can't wait till JustHavingFun appears (which he undoubtedly will ) and endarkens us more with regards to this issue.
I for one, would like to know why it exhibits such proof-like qualities. >>




Hi 1jester, it looked like a proof to me too until i saw the NGC MS65.

USAROK

TaiNoHenka - Thank you for the kind words regarding the coins and photos.

I've been slowly getting better with the pictures. The key is getting the right lighting for the coin. For all three of these coins I used a single halogen light. I placed the slab at an angle and the tilted the camera on the copy stand so it was parallel to the surface of the slab. Then I moved the light around until I saw the color and luster I wanted through the viewfinder. I used auto exposure bracketing to take 3 pictures, one at normal exposure, one with greater exposure and one with less exposure and picked the best to use. I also used a large aperture and manual focusing. My camera is a Canon Digital Rebel.

I look forward to seeing your picture of the peso!

USAROK

Edited for bad spelling.

MacCrimmon

USAROK, remember that just because a TPG grades/designates a coin as MS does not mean it's "Gospel". I have no idea of the proof diagnostics for Filipinas proofs (not yet anyway), but I do know Swiss SP strikings, and I'm sitting here with an NGC MS67 1/2 franc. At least the insert says so, but the coin is a no-questions EA strike.....looks like a crackout for it's future and a trip to Santa Ana for a proper designation.

Anyway, keep it up.

shirohniichan

At least the insert says so, but the coin is a no-questions EA strike.....looks like a crackout for it's future and a trip to Santa Ana for a proper designation.

Ahem-- I think they like to call it "Newport Beach."

Udo

USAROK, fantastic coins and pictures, I've always liked the design of those.

1jester

"Hi 1jester, it looked like a proof to me too until i saw the NGC MS65." --TaiNoHenka

Thank you for your comments, sir! I very much look forward to seeing some of your coin photos!

Tassa

Those are very nice.

lordmarcovan

Justhavingfun

Dear USAROK:

That's a gorgeous coin. Congratulations.

And brightyoungfilipina stopped by and added her congratulations to mine. She remembers your good notes and asked me to thank you for her. So thank you! I remember them too.

That's the good news. The bad news: she's out of numismatics right now and possibly forever. She's living with somebody, is pregnant, and is looking forward more to raising a family, with no thoughts towards building her collection.

Best wishes,



Just Having Fun

TaiNoHenka

Those lighting and photography tips produced wonderful results USAROK, thank you very much

1jester, I'll post the results I got for you guys shortly.



Regards,

Tainohenka

oldshep

Don't know how I missed this post but WOW! are those beauties. What great photos!!!!
Shep

SYRACUSIAN

Brightyoungfilipina was using this bugslady icon, right?



Being pregnant ,living with someone and planning their family does not sound at all like bad news to me. I'm sure that if Mr Justhavingfun keeps in touch with her, she will come back to the hobby when she's ready.


Superb coins and pictures USAROK.



I like our Philipino team, they have the coolests nicks around.

USAROK

Once again, my thanks to all for the nice comments regarding the coins and pictures!

Tai no henka: I'm really happy the photo tips were a success! For any of you who haven't seen his thread, US-Philippines: A photo of one of Justhavingfun's favorite Pesos, ever, please go there. He has taken a great picture of a truely remarkable coin! You won't be disappointed!!

Justhavingfun: Sorry I took so long to respond. Thanks for your comments about the coin and your update on brightyoungfilipina. Pass my thanks to her and my best wishes for her and her new family! I agree with SYRACUSIAN that she'll come back to numismatics when the time is right. Numismatics is a very difficult hobby/obsession to drop permanently!

Justhavingfun

Dear Syracusian:

Yes, that's bright young filipina's icon. Gosh, that brings back fond memories.

And you write: "I like our Philipino team."

First, thank you! Second, isn't it great the way the "Philipino team" is growing. I felt lonely at one time; it was like it was just me. Now we have a small community: USAROK, Filam Coins, Tai no Henko, and Ecos.

And I think Syracusian is right about Bright Young Filipina. She'll be back.

And USAROK, I'm going to see her again soon and will pass along your best wishes in person and show her this and some other US-Philippine threads.

Best wishes from Hong Kong,


Just Having Fun