Do you collect U.S. Philippine issues alongside U.S. Federal Issues?

ianrussell · April 23, 2011 9:23AM

I spent part of my day today researching some of the U.S. Philippine Issues, which leads to this post. Do you collect them with your U.S. Coins? What is your opinion of the 1903-1932 issues (under U.S. Sovereignty) vs. the Commonwealth issues form 1937-1945? Are they considered one and the same from a collector's standpoint?

- Ian

llafoe · April 23, 2011 9:25AM

<< I spent part of my day today researching some of the U.S. Philippine Issues, which leads to this post. Do you collect them with your U.S. Coins? What is your opinion of the 1903-1932 issues (under U.S. Sovereignty) vs. the Commonwealth issues form 1937-1945? Are they considered one and the same from a collector's standpoint?

- Ian >>

It looks like at least PCGS and Redbook consider them different from US Coins.

ianrussell · April 23, 2011 9:28AM

<< 

<< I spent part of my day today researching some of the U.S. Philippine Issues, which leads to this post. Do you collect them with your U.S. Coins? What is your opinion of the 1903-1932 issues (under U.S. Sovereignty) vs. the Commonwealth issues form 1937-1945? Are they considered one and the same from a collector's standpoint?

- Ian >>

It looks like at least PCGS and Redbook consider them different from US Coins. >>

But it's a big positive that they are included in the Red Book (for example). It has probably increased the collector-base.

- Ian

questor54 · April 23, 2011 9:29AM

I consider these coins to be an integral part of the US series. I am always advocating that Manila (mintmark M) be considered as a regular US branch mint, but many people do not agree with that.

bidask · April 23, 2011 9:31AM

I have the 1904 10, 25, and 50 centavo specimans in p 66 but own them as type.

coindeuce · April 23, 2011 9:32AM

I do. I prefer to consider the 1903-1921 issues official U.S. coinage, even though they would not have been accepted in normal commerce here in the continental U.S. Still hunting for a large size Peso Proof. Very elusive without problems.

llafoe · April 23, 2011 9:35AM

<< ...even though they would not have been accepted in normal commerce here in the continental U.S. >>

That's probably the best answer.

questor54 · April 23, 2011 9:39AM

<< 

<< ...even though they would not have been accepted in normal commerce here in the continental U.S. >>

That's probably the best answer. >>

A government can control many nations. True, these were not 'homeland' issues, but the Philippine Islands were definitely part of the American Empire - such an integral part that many of these issues had the inscription 'United States Of America' on them.

bidask · April 23, 2011 9:43AM

crypto79 · April 23, 2011 9:48AM

I have a bunch with the highlights being a 1944 d/s dime and an original roll of GEM 50c pieces

bronzemat · April 23, 2011 9:51AM

Ive got them all but the five centavos. I love the designs on them.

illini420 · April 23, 2011 10:03AM

I'm collecting the USPI coins as part of my 1909 Mint Set.

So far I only have the 1909-S Centavo and the 1909-S Peso... the other denominations are really tough for that year.

Not only do I really like the designs, but the coins were minted in the U.S. (San Francisco), the Philippines were a territory of the U.S. at the time and the coins say "United States of America" on them... so I think they should be considered as part of a year set or a U.S. type set.

krueger · April 23, 2011 10:07AM

Most collectors including myself collect the 1903 to 1945 series ( 150 business strike coins) including the common wealth dates as a US series.
The philippines was not a US Territory (like Puerto Rico) but under U.S. Administration . In 1936 it became a commonwealth. It had a U.S. Govenor General. The coins do say "United States of America" on them and were authorized by Congress. Many of us feel that the Manila mint was a branch mint of the U.S.
The proof dates (another 35 coins) are very sought after. many were cleaned and are impaired.

PCGS and NGC have registry sets for type, complete date sets, and individual denominations. For PCGS you can submit under U.S. or foreign.
If you submit at any shows where NGC is accepting submittals talk to David Lange he is a Philippine coin expert.

It is a very tough series to collect in high grade. a number of dates are almost impossible to find in any Unc grade. Check the better registry sets and see which denominations/dates the best collections are still missing in any Unc grade, or have in very low grade uncs.

You can still put the date set together in nice EF to AU, but it will take awhile on the tough dates . The proofs will mostly be impaired.
It took me 35 years on a limited budget to collect a two short of an Unc set (the two are in AU58), and I have bought pieces out of at least 4 Philippine collections and completely bought one large one.

Krueger

bidask · April 23, 2011 10:17AM

<< Most collectors including myself collect the 1903 to 1945 series ( 150 business strike coins) including the common wealth dates as a US series.
The philippines was not a US Territory (like Puerto Rico) but under U.S. Administration . In 1936 it became a commonwealth. It had a U.S. Govenor General. The coins do say "United States of America" on them and were authorized by Congress. Many of us feel that the Manila mint was a branch mint of the U.S.
The proof dates (another 35 coins) are very sought after. many were cleaned and are impaired.

PCGS and NGC have registry sets for type, complete date sets, and individual denominations. For PCGS you can submit under U.S. or foreign.
If you submit at any shows where NGC is accepting submittals talk to David Lange he is a Philippine coin expert.

It is a very tough series to collect in high grade. a number of dates are almost impossible to find in any Unc grade. Check the better registry sets and see which denominations/dates the best collections are still missing in any Unc grade, or have in very low grade uncs.

You can still put the date set together in nice EF to AU, but it will take awhile on the tough dates . The proofs will mostly be impaired.
It took me 35 years on a limited budget to collect a two short of an Unc set (the two are in AU58), and I have bought pieces out of at least 4 Philippine collections and completely bought one large one.

Krueger >>

Thas is great persistence on your part.

llafoe · April 23, 2011 10:21AM

<< Most collectors including myself collect the 1903 to 1945 series ( 150 business strike coins) including the common wealth dates as a US series.
The philippines was not a US Territory (like Puerto Rico) but under U.S. Administration . In 1936 it became a commonwealth. It had a U.S. Govenor General. The coins do say "United States of America" on them and were authorized by Congress. Many of us feel that the Manila mint was a branch mint of the U.S.
The proof dates (another 35 coins) are very sought after. many were cleaned and are impaired.

PCGS and NGC have registry sets for type, complete date sets, and individual denominations. For PCGS you can submit under U.S. or foreign.
If you submit at any shows where NGC is accepting submittals talk to David Lange he is a Philippine coin expert.

It is a very tough series to collect in high grade. a number of dates are almost impossible to find in any Unc grade. Check the better registry sets and see which denominations/dates the best collections are still missing in any Unc grade, or have in very low grade uncs.

You can still put the date set together in nice EF to AU, but it will take awhile on the tough dates . The proofs will mostly be impaired.
It took me 35 years on a limited budget to collect a two short of an Unc set (the two are in AU58), and I have bought pieces out of at least 4 Philippine collections and completely bought one large one.

Krueger >>

Very informative!

FilamCoins · April 23, 2011 10:55AM

<< I spent part of my day today researching some of the U.S. Philippine Issues, which leads to this post. Do you collect them with your U.S. Coins? What is your opinion of the 1903-1932 issues (under U.S. Sovereignty) vs. the Commonwealth issues form 1937-1945? Are they considered one and the same from a collector's standpoint?

- Ian >>

I think they're generally considered one and the same, however some collectors gravitate towards one design or the other. The Commonwealth issues are certainly easier and cheaper to obtain in better grades and regrettably lack the spectacular Peso and the proofs.

ianrussell · April 24, 2011 4:36AM

<< Most collectors including myself collect the 1903 to 1945 series ( 150 business strike coins) including the common wealth dates as a US series.
The philippines was not a US Territory (like Puerto Rico) but under U.S. Administration . In 1936 it became a commonwealth. It had a U.S. Govenor General. The coins do say "United States of America" on them and were authorized by Congress. Many of us feel that the Manila mint was a branch mint of the U.S.
The proof dates (another 35 coins) are very sought after. many were cleaned and are impaired.

PCGS and NGC have registry sets for type, complete date sets, and individual denominations. For PCGS you can submit under U.S. or foreign.
If you submit at any shows where NGC is accepting submittals talk to David Lange he is a Philippine coin expert.

It is a very tough series to collect in high grade. a number of dates are almost impossible to find in any Unc grade. Check the better registry sets and see which denominations/dates the best collections are still missing in any Unc grade, or have in very low grade uncs.

You can still put the date set together in nice EF to AU, but it will take awhile on the tough dates . The proofs will mostly be impaired.
It took me 35 years on a limited budget to collect a two short of an Unc set (the two are in AU58), and I have bought pieces out of at least 4 Philippine collections and completely bought one large one.

Krueger >>

Thanks Krueger. This is really helpful (as were posts from other members, thanks).

I also like that they say "United States of America" on them.

- Ian

DUIGUY · April 24, 2011 5:04AM

coinkat · April 24, 2011 5:14AM

great question and is worthy of some discussion on the darkside as well

I collect them- just not totally serious

illini420 · April 24, 2011 5:41AM

Here's my 1909-S USPI Centavo... I just love that this coin was minted in the same building and in the same year as two of the biggest key date U.S. coins of all time, the 1909-S Indian Head Cent and the 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent. So far, the 1909-S USPI doesn't command the same premium as those other two 1909 San Francisco coppers but it is much much harder to find in mint state.

BillJones · April 24, 2011 7:48AM

<< I consider these coins to be an integral part of the US series. I am always advocating that Manila (mintmark M) be considered as a regular US branch mint, but many people do not agree with that. >>

The Philippines were never part of The United States; it was only a territory and a temporary one at that. The Manila mint did not make coins for U.S. citizens. For these reasons the Philippine territory coins are not part of the U.S. series although they are a part of U.S. history.

bidask · April 24, 2011 8:43AM

<< 

<< I consider these coins to be an integral part of the US series. I am always advocating that Manila (mintmark M) be considered as a regular US branch mint, but many people do not agree with that. >>

The Philippines were never part of The United States; it was only a territory and a temporary one at that. The Manila mint did not make coins for U.S. citizens. For these reasons the Philippine territory coins are not part of the U.S. series although they are a part of U.S. history. >>

And not a petty part of our history either, imo.

Our military slaughtered thousands of people.

SLQ · April 24, 2011 10:50AM

I have a small collection of these that my Dad brought back from WWII,
and I started a Philippine currency collection a while ago after seeing McKinley on the 5 Peso note.

seanq · April 24, 2011 10:58AM

Some of those Peso proofs are amazing. I've found a few of these with clips as part of my extended type collection, and I've always wanted to own some of the die varieties from the Commonwealth era. There are two doubled dies on the 1945-D Ten Centavos which are incredible, the spread rivals the biggest on US coins.

Sean Reynolds

kaz · April 24, 2011 11:22AM

I've collected them in a casual way for a while, because I admire the designs. I think they would make a great collection on their own.

Do you collect U.S. Philippine issues alongside U.S. Federal Issues?

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