Barber question: coin from the Philippines

InYHWHWeTrust

I have heard --?in this forum-- that there were S mint coins sent to the Philippines around the turn of 20th century. Does anyone have any more details about this part of numis. history--or is that pretty much all there is to it?

This one did come from the 'bay and from the Philippines, though who knows, it may have gone over there for the first time this very year before coming right back 'home.' Or...... it may have made its first trip back here since 1900!? I like that imagining part of coin collecting, too.

It is deep blue-purple in hand and smooth, not as grungy-mossy as the scanner portrays, though I don't mind grungy-mossy either.

Thanks for any help/information you can offer,

Don S

Tonelover

The Philippines came under US control in 1898 but the US Mints didn't start producing circulating coinage for them until 1903. Barbers were sent over there to circulate in the meantime. You can find a average circulated quarters and Halves over there still, usually just Good and what not but once I came across a small stash of perfectly original XF-AU's including a nice 1897-S in VF. I think they cost me $25 apiece!

Barberman55

Anytime you buy raw, higher grade circulated Barber's, from the Philippine hoard dates of 1898-s, 1899-s, and 1900-s, you have to be very cautious. Alot of the coins in XF and AU show heavy cleaning, so you have to be extra careful. The 1900-s you're showing looks like a solid XF, maybe higher, I can't tell because of the very dark toning.

bushmaster8

I can add that, in my experience, the 00-S is by far the most commonly encountered of the three in XF/AU.

I've bought 2 1900-S's from Manila on Ebay and both were nice and original.

kranky

I think those are listed in the Red Book.

InYHWHWeTrust

Thanks for those who have responded thus far. I completely forgot about a Red Book, I think I have a 2003, so will check that out when I get home tonight. I did find a copy of the David Lawrence book -- which is out of print-- finally, but that will be a while before it gets here.

Dan, I hear your warnings about ebay and indeed have made my share of bad purchases and gambles. Now I always buy from the sellers with good return policy or regular posters in this forum. And when I sell I offer likewise return policy. But the shipping costs to 'see' a coin in hand are getting prohibitive, not to mention the whole appropriateness of that in an auction setting. This coin is the only one bought from outside N.A. and sweated bullets the whole time waiting for it.

Don S