US-PI Error Questions - common, uncommon or rare?

IloiloKano

I have noted very many errors, repunched dies and variations among US-PI issues, and frankly, I don't know whether they are worth noting when selling. The weak 2 on 1921 50 centavos coins is one example, but does that make a coin with a strong strike of the date worth a premium? I have also found a 1919 10 centavos that appears to have been minted with the s mintmark completely filled, which produced a 1919 Plain 10 centavos. Is this common? It is a well worn example, but I am providing imagery as an attached file for others to comment, especially if it has been your experience that this variety appears with some regularity. Thanks for any input.

Justhavingfun

Some of those varieties are worth big premiums -- like the horned "S" on the 1908 centavo (and 4 other dates). The Large S on the 1914, '16, and '18 centavos are also worth huge premiums. Ditto for the 1913 s/s 20 centavo, or the 1917/6 (or 7/8) centavos.

But the 1919 10 centavo with a filled "S" is triviata and I doubt will ever be worth a premium.

Likewise for the "No S" and "No M" so-called varieties. I've seen many of them and most either (A) Have tiny fragments of the mint mark which negates the variety attribution or (B) Have had the mint mark scraped (or lasered) off. Some of the latter are quite good.

But I do find an occasional one that looks genuine to me and have paid mild premiums on el cheapo dates, but nothing to write home to Mom about.

About the strong strikes -- now that's a different matter than the triviata varieties. A 1908 Proof 50 centavo with a strong strike would probably go for double the value of one with the ordinary strike -- if not more than that. Ditto for a full date (and full strike, which to me means full breast/full hair) 1921 50 centavo.

Among the commonwealth coins, I collect the coins with the full legend on the ribbon and those are elusive as the full-head standing Liberty Quarters. The premium for them is currently small but I don't think that's going to stay that way for ever. I think the full-legend commonwealth coins will eventually sell for significant premiums as will other well-struck dates.

I hope this helps.

Warm regards,


Just Having Fun

IloiloKano

I only have one 1908 S Centavo, but it appears to be the "horned S" variety. I would appreciate confirmation though.

Regarding Iloilo, I have met one obscenely rich American, who has been living there safely for over a decade, and he is in his late 80's. Since so few persons of such wealth live in the Philippines, you likely know him. Perhaps you might ask him how he manages to keep himself safe, while regularly traveling so freely. It may have something to do with those that know him always watching his back, since I have found out (from wife's relatives) that many have watched mine without informing me, and that is apparently to my having treated them or others in their presence with respect and graciousness. I did not ask, and they did not offer; they simply did, and they asked for nothing in return. Such is one of many reasons I have fallen in love with Ilongos.

If you wish to contact the gentleman and have not been aware of him before, his initials are RB, I can put you in touch, but not through this public medium. Let me know, and I'll open a temporary Yahoo email address for you to contact, and I'll respond through my primary ISP email address. I'll not be back to the Philippines until this time next year, possibly a few months sooner, since I just got back from a month long vacation this past January.

Thank you for the advice regarding the varieties. Is there a publication that singles them out, or have you deduced the relative rarity based upon your own experience?

These coins, and associated paper currency, are extremely interesting, and in my opinion, will not be so affordable for many more years. You ought to look into the currency issues, if you have not already done so. There are many extremely rare notes, and the rarity is due to several factors, e.g. humidity, weather, war, and the habit of spindling notes used for Jeepney travel.

Thanks for the offer if I get back there. I will surely try to contact you on my next trip, and I had planned a to stay a few days in Manila anyway, since I wanted to visit those dealers of the premium examples. I haven't figured out how to post the image inline yet, so I will again post the one of the 1908 Centavo as an attachment. It would be nice to find out that the only example I own was of the rarer variety, but it probably isn't.

MacCrimmon

To post an image in a thread, click on this symbol at the top of the reply box, and paste the image location into the image box....then, click OK.

Justhavingfun

Looks like a clear "Horned S" to the north. Congratulations!

There's also a "horned S" to the south. And the S/S/S is horned to both the north and south.

Enjoy,



Just Having Fun