Philippines Coinage under U.S. Sovereignty

The Philippines was ceded to the United States as part of the settlement between Spain and the United States at the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898. A self-governing commonwealth was established in 1935. The U.S. granted the Republic of The Philippines full independence on July 4, 1946.

During the United States administration, Congress was responsible for issuing coinage.  The first U.S./Philippine coins were minted in 1903 in Philadelphia and San Francisco and bear both the Identities of the United States and “Filipinas” (Spanish for The Philippines).  During the commonwealth period, coinage was issued primarily at the Manila Mint (“M” mint mark). During the Japanese Occupation no Philippine coinage was issued. In 1944 and 1945 coins were only struck at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints.

“Philippines under the U.S.” Quick List

Prices depend on grade and date and are in United States Dollars

• Half Centavos
  • 1903-1904 – Regular issues: Approximate range: $1 – $20
  • 1904 – 1908 – Proofs: Approximate range: $50 – $150
• One Centavos
  • 1903 -1936 – Regular issues: Approximate range: $1 – $25
  • Rare Dates/Varieties: 1915-S, 1916-S, 1918-S (large “S”). Approximate range: $10 – $400.
  • 1903-1908 – Proofs- Approximate range: $50 – $150.

Copper Nickel Coinage

• Five Centavos
  • 1903 – 1935 – regular issues: Approximate Range: $1 – $50
  • Rare Dates/Varieties: 1918-S Mule. small date reverse of 20 centavos. Approximate range: $150 – $2,500.
  • 1903 – 1908 – Proofs: Approximate range: $40 – $150

Silver Coinage

• Ten Centavos
  • 1903 – 1935 – regular issues: Approximate Range: $1 – $60.
  • Rare Dates: 1903-S, 1904, 1909-S, 1915-S – Approximate Range: $20 – $300.
  • 1903-1908 – Proofs –  $50 -$150
• Twenty Centavos
  • 1903-1929 – regular issues : Approximate range: $2 – $125.
  • Rare Dates/Varieties: 1909-S, 1910-S, 1911-S. 1915-S, 1928M Mule – large date reverse of 5 centavos.- Approximate Range: $10 – $350.
  • 1903-1908 – Proofs – Approximate range: $50 – $250
• Fifty Centavos
  • 1903 -1921 – regular issues: Approximate range: $5 – $100
  • Rare Dates: 1909-S -Approximate range $8- $175.
  • 1903-1908 – Proofs – Approximate range: $80 – $300.
• One Peso
  •  1903 – 1912 – regular issues: Approximate range: $5 – $80.
  • Rare Dates: 1904, 1911-S, 1912-S: Approximate range: $20 – $500.
  • 1906-S – Approximate range: $600 – $10,000.
  • 1903-1908 – Proofs: Approximate range: $200 – $500.

Commonwealth Issues

Bronze Coinage

• One Centavo
  • 1937-1944 – regular issues: approximate range: 50 cents – $8.

Copper-Nickel Coinage

• Five Centavos
  • 1937-1941 – regular issues: Approximate range: 50 cents – $15.

Copper-Nickel-Zinc Alloy Coinage

• Five Centavos
  • 1944-1945 – regular issues: Approximate range: 10 cents – $1.

Silver Coinage

• Ten Centavos
  • 1937-1945 – regular issues: Approximate range: 10 cents – $10.
• Twenty Centavos
  • 1937-1945 – regular issues: Approximate range: 25 cents – $10.
  • Rare Dates/Varieties: 1944D over S – Approximate Range: $10 -$50.
• Fifty Centavos
  • 1936M – Commemorative of the establishment of the Commonwealth – approximate range: $20 – $80.
  • 1944-1945 – regular issues: Approximate range: $1 – $3.
• One Peso
  • 1936M – Commemorative of the establishment of the Commonwealth- bust of Murphy and Quezon – Approximate Range: $35 – $150.
  • 1936M – Commemorative of the establishment of the Commonwealth – bust of Roosevelt and Quezon: Approximate Range: $35 – $150.