As a topical collector I am not trying to collect an example of every coin from every mintage year, rather I aim to acquire at least one of each coin from each different series. I also try to focus on excellent quality coins from more sought after years. Where possible I will try to get variants where different dies were used, error coins or proof coins where available for a given year.
During this period the Philippines was considered a U.S. territory and as such all coins bore the U.S. Territories Arms on their reverse. This particular seal features an eagle atop a shield containing 13 stars and 13 stripes, the eagle’s wings are widespread. Coins later produced during the commonwealth period have the seal of the Commonwealth instead consisting of a smaller eagle with wings pointed upwards and a different shield.
After 1906 all silver coins had a reduction in silver content down from 90% to 75%. All coins were minted with an inverted alignment (or coin turn) whereby the reverse of the coin is upside down when compared to the obverse (front) of the coin. Coins in this series were minted at the Denver, San Francisco and Philadelphia mints. In 1920 the Manila mint opened but it wasn’t until 1925 that production numbers picked up from Manila. The Philippine Peso was the same technical specifications as the the U.S. silver dollar of the time. The 1 Peso was discontinued in 1912 and would not appear again until 1972.
Mints can be identified by the following mintmarks:
D = Denver
S = San Francisco
M = Manila
no mintmark = Philadelphia
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Face Value: 1/2 centavo Composition: Bronze Diameter: 17.5mm Catalog Code: KM 162
Mintage Years: 1903-1908 Better Years: 1904
Face Value: 1 centavo Composition: Bronze Diameter: 24.8mm Catalog Code: KM 163
In 1935 the Philippines became part of the U.S. Commonwealth, rather than being a U.S. Territory. As such coins were changed to feature the Commonwealth Arms on their reverse. As with the previous series of coins, all coins in the Commonwealth series feature an inverted alignment. The silver coins in this series maintain the previously downgraded silver content of 75%.
As with the previous series, the manufacturing mint can be identified by the following mintmarks:
D = Denver
S = San Francisco
M = Manila
no mintmark = Philadelphia
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Face Value: 1 centavo Composition: Bronze Diameter: 25mm Catalog Code: KM 179
KM183 Type 1 – Mule with reverse being from the 1907-1921 die. More highly sought after and more valuable than Type 2. KM 183 Type 2 – Issue with 1944/45 dies.
Type 2 identifying factors include more prominent vertical lines on Mount Mayon, less detail in smoke plume, more detail in hair passing through the letter ‘C’.
1958-1966 – Republic – English Series
The “English Series”, produced by the newly established Central Bank of the Philippines, was so named as it used only English across all banknotes and coins (and was the first series to do so). Coins containing silver were not minted in this series – instead bronze, brass and nickel-brass were favoured. Coins were minted in Philadelphia from 1958 to 1963. In 1964 the Royal Mint of London produced all coins except the 1 centavo which had been dropped from production. In 1966 both the Royal Mint of London and the Vereinigte Deutsche Metallwerke of West Germany produced coins of this series. The Seal of the Philippines replaced the previous Commonwealth Arms on the reverse and the inverted alignment was maintained from all previous series’.
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Face Value: 1 centavo Composition: Bronze Diameter: 19mm Catalog Code: KM 186
Mintage Years: 1958-1963 BetterYears: 1958
Face Value: 5 centavos Composition: Brass Diameter: 21mm Catalog Code: KM 187
Mintage Years: 1958-1966 BetterYears: 1958, 1959
Face Value: 10 centavos Composition: Nickel brass Diameter: 17.8mm Catalog Code: KM 188
Mintage Years: 1958-1966 BetterYears: 1958
KM 189.1
KM 189.2 (6 smoke rings)
Face Value: 25 centavos Composition: Nickel brass Diameter: 24mm Catalog Code: KM 189
In 1966 a new die was used for some coins (KM 189.2). KM 189.1 (the original) is identified by 8 smoke rings above the volcano, a larger date, the letters “V” and “E” in “FIVE” are connected at the top, more stylized hair and a larger date. KM 189.2 has 6 smoke rings above the volcano, smaller date and there is a gap between the top of the letters “V” and “E” in “FIVE”.
50,000,000 KM 189.1 coins were produced in 1966, while 40,000,000 KM 189.2 coins were produced in the same year.
Face Value: 50 centavos Composition: Nickel brass Diameter: 30.3mm Catalog Code: KM 190
Mintage Years: 1958-1964 BetterYears: 1958
Minted in 1958 and 1964 only. Around 83% of all coins were minted in 1964 making 1958 coins more desirable.
1967-1974 – Republic (Pilipino Series)
All coins in this series were commissioned by the Central Bank of the Philippines and were minted in either the San Francisco or Philadelphia mints. This series is often referred to as the Pilipino series – on the back of strong nationalism movements that took place in the 1960’s. As such you will notice the change of spelling from Peso to Piso which is reflective of traditional Filipino spelling. You will also notice that all coins feature a prominent Filipino on the obverse and the Seal of the Philippines on the reverse. English only spelling has been done away with in favour of a Pilipino dialect. You will no longer see centavo as the fractional unit as it was replaced with sentimo. Interestingly, this series saw the return of the 1 Piso coin in 1972 for the first time since 1912. These coins maintain the inverted alignment from the previous series.
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Face Value: 1 Sentimo Composition: Aluminium Diameter: 15.25mm Catalog Code: KM 196
Face Value: 50 sentimos Composition: Nickel brass Diameter: 27.5mm Catalog Code: KM 200
Mintage Years: 1967-1974 BetterYears: 1974, 1971
Face Value: 1 piso Composition: Nickel brass Diameter: 33mm Catalog Code: KM 203
Mintage Years: 1972-1974 BetterYears: 1974
Not minted in 1973.
1975-1982 – Republic, Ang Bagong Lipunan (New Society)
Established by President Marcos in 1972 the New Society program was aimed at revitalising industry and agriculture in the Philippines. As with the previous series of coins this series also features prominent Filipinos. This set ventures away from the typical round coins of all previous series’ with a square and a scalloped coin being introduced into the set. This series of coins also saw multiple strikes available including one for general circulation along with proof, brilliant and matt finishes for various mint and proof sets. This is perhaps one of the nicer looking complete sets of coins from the Philippines due to the different coin shapes and different materials used across the set.
Up until 1978 all coins bore the seal of the Central Bank of the Philippines and the words “Republika ng Pilipinas”. From 1979 a simplified seal of the Central Bank of the Philippines appears upon the 1, 5, 10, 25 sentimos coins. While the 1 and 5 piso coins got the Coat of Arms of the Philippines and the words “Isang Bansa Isang Diwa”.
Interestingly this would also be the last series to use the word “sentimos” on coins larger than 1 sentimo – with later series of coins just using “sentimo” for all fractional unit coins.
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1975 proof
Face Value: 1 Sentimo Composition: Aluminium Diameter: 19mm Catalog Code: KM 205
Mintage Years: 1975-1978 BetterYears: 1977, 1978
Face Value: 1 sentimo Composition: Aluminium Diameter: 19mm Catalog Code: KM 224
Mintage Years: 1979-1982 BetterYears: 1979, 1980
Updated design
1975 Proof
Face Value: 5 sentimos Composition: Brass Diameter: 19mm Catalog Code: KM 206
Mintage Years: 1975-1978 BetterYears: 1977, 1978
1982 (final year)
Face Value: 5 sentimos Composition: Brass Diameter: 19mm Catalog Code: KM 225
Mintage Years: 1979-1982 Better Years: 1979
Updated design
3 x die variants were used on the obverse, 2 on the reverse.
1975 Proof
Face Value: 10 sentimos Composition: Copper-nickel Diameter: 18mm Catalog Code: KM 207
Mintage Years: 1975-1978 BetterYears: 1977
Face Value: 10 sentimos Composition: Copper-nickel Diameter: 18mm Catalog Code: KM 226
Mintage Years: 1979-1982 BetterYears: –
Updated design
1975 proof
Face Value: 25 sentimos Composition: Copper-nickel Diameter: 21mm Catalog Code: KM 208
Mintage Years: 1975-1978 BetterYears: 1975, 1976
Updated design
Face Value: 25 sentimos Composition: Copper-nickel Diameter: 21mm Catalog Code: KM 227
Mintage Years: 1979-1982 BetterYears: –
Updated design
1975 proof Type 1 1981 Type 2
Face Value: 1 piso Composition: Copper-nickel Diameter: 29mm Catalog Code: KM 209
Type 1 (209.1) = “Republika Pilipinas” Type 2 (209.2) =” Isang Bansa Isang Diwa” 1979 onwards
1982 saw slight differences across with an “oval 8” and a “rounded 8” minted.
1975 TYPE 1 1979 TYPE 2 1975 Type 2 PROOF
Face Value: 5 piso Composition: Nickel Diameter: 36.5mmCatalog Code: KM 210
Mintage Years: 1975-1982 BetterYears: >1975
20,000,000 minted in 1975 for circulation. 37,000 proof coins were also minted in 1975. Other years minted were not intended for circulation and consisted of mint, proof and special uncirculated issues.
Type 1 (210.1) = “Republika Pilipinas” Type 2 (210.2) =”Isang Bansa Isang Diwa” 1979 onwards.
1983-1993 – Republic, Flora and Fauna Series
7 coins make up the original Flora and Fauna series which started in 1983. Each coin continues to feature a prominent Filipino with the addition of a native species of flora or fauna on the reverse. 2 coins stand out in this series as they are known error coins – both due to spelling mistakes. They are the 10s (KM 240.1) and 50s (KM 242.2) coins both from the first year of mintage, 1983.
A new 2 piso coin was introduced in this series which featured a coconut tree on one side and Andres Bonifacio on the other. This was not only the first time that a 2 piso coin was introduced into circulation but it was also the first time that a decagonal shaped coin was used in the Philippines.
In 1991 changes were made to the 25 and 50 sentimos coins and the 1 and 2 piso coins. The change was an effective reduction in the coin sizes, at the same time the 5 piso coin was introduced to help offset costs of printing the 5 piso banknote. These changed coins became know as the Improved Flora and Fauna series. You can read more about the Improved Flora and Fauna series below.
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Specifications
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Face Value: 1 Sentimo Composition: Aluminium Diameter: 15.5mm Catalog Code: KM 238
In 1991 the 25s, 50s, 1piso and 2piso coins were replaced with smaller variants and a new 5piso coin was added as part of the Improved Flora and Fauna Series. The 2piso coin not only changed in size but also shape, becoming a round coin instead of the decagonal shape from the previous series.
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Face Value: 25 sentimo (small type) Composition: Brass Diameter: 16mm Catalog Code: KM 241.2
Mintage Years: 1991-1994 BetterYears: –
Face Value: 50 sentimo Composition: Brass Diameter: 18mm Catalog Code: KM 242.3
Mintage Years: 1991-1994 BetterYears: –
Face Value: 1 piso (small type) Composition: Stainless steel Diameter: 21.6mm Catalog Code: KM 243.2
Mintage Years: 1991-1994 BetterYears: –
Face Value: 2 piso Composition: Stainless steel Diameter: 23.5mm Catalog Code: KM 258
Mintage Years: 1991-1994 BetterYears: –
Face Value: 5 piso Composition: Nickel brass Diameter: 25.5mm Catalog Code: KM 259
Mintage Years: 1991-1994 BetterYears: –
1995-2017 – Republic, BSP series
Note coins in this series have “1993” printed on the reverse underneath the logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The date represents the year that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was established – not the year that the coins were minted. This can be a point of confusion for some as all previous coins had the value on the obverse and the year minted on the reverse. Coins in this series have both the value and year minted on the obverse, and 1993 on the reverse of all coins.
In 2000 a bi-metallic 10 piso coin featuring Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini was introduced into the series. 2003 saw changes to several coins that were mostly unnoticed by the general public. The 25 sentimo coin was re-released in brass-plated steel instead of brass (KM 271a). In the same year the 1 piso coin was re-released (KM 269a) in nickel-plated steel making it a magnetic coin.
Several dies were also used for most of these coins with very subtle differences between them (I have included some examples below).
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Face Value: 1 sentimo Composition: Copper-plated steel Diameter: 15.5mm Catalog Code: KM 273
Mintage Years: 1995-2017 BetterYears: –
KM 268 – “small script”
KM 268 – “large script”
Face Value: 5 sentimo Composition: Copper-plated steel Diameter: 15.5mm Catalog Code: KM 268
Mintage Years:1995-2017 BetterYears: –
Dies were changed slightly in 2007 resulting in coins after this year having a larger font on both sides of the coin. Coins minted in 2007 may have the former smaller font or the larger font.
KM 270.1 – “small script” with no mintmark.
KM 270.2 – “large script” with mintmark
Face Value: 10 sentimo Composition: Copper-plated steel Diameter: 17mm Catalog Code: KM 270
Mintage Years:1995-2017 BetterYears: – 2006 and onwards
KM 270.1 has smaller lettering on both sides. 2002 has a mintmark, other years do not.
KM 270.2 has larger lettering on both sides and was produced from 2006 onwards.
Face Value: 25 sentimo Composition: Brass Diameter: 20mm Catalog Code: KM 271
Mintage Years:1995-2003 BetterYears: – 1995
Coins minted in 1995 have no mintmark. All other years have a mintmark.
Face Value:25 sentimo Composition:Brass-plated steel Diameter:20mm Catalog Code:KM 271a
Mintage Years:2003-2017 BetterYears:2007
Face Value: 1 piso Composition: Copper-nickel Diameter: 24mm Catalog Code: KM 269
Face Value: 1 piso Composition: Nickel-plated steel (magnetic) Diameter: 27mm Catalog Code: KM 269a
Mintage Years: 2003-2017 BetterYears: 2003
2003 coins had standard sized fonts, years after 2003 had bold fonts.
3 different dies were used on the reverse: 1) with thick scripts. 2) with thin scripts. 3) with larger scripts and a wide date.
KM272 (die # 1 on reverse) – minted in Canada
KM272 (die # 3 on reverse) – minted in Philippines
Face Value: 5 piso Composition: Nickel-Brass Diameter: 27mm Catalog Code: KM 272
Mintage Years: 1995-2017 BetterYears: –
Coins were minted in the Philippines or Canada. Those minted in Canada do not have the motif beneath Aguinaldo and to the left (see the example from the Canadian mint).
3 different dies were used on the reverse: 1) with thick script and short teeth on cog. 2) with thin script and longer teeth on cog. 3) with thick script and longer teeth on cog.
KM 278 (die #3 on reverse)
Face Value: 10 piso Composition: Copper-nickel ring; aluminium-bronze centre Diameter: 26.5mm Catalog Code: KM 278
Mintage Years: 2000-2017 BetterYears: –
3 different dies were used on the reverse: 1) with thin legend script, short teeth on cog and narrow and short rays on the sun. 2) with medium legend script, medium length teeth on cog and wide and short rays on the sun. 3) with thick legend script, long teeth on cog and narrow but long rays on the sun.
2017-on – Republic, New Generation Series
Late 2017 a new series of coins from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the New Generation Series was ushered in. One could describe this as a somewhat uninspiring series as upon release all of the coins looked visually similar, were all made from nickel-plated steel and were all the same shape. 2019 saw the release of 2 new coins, the 5 piso nonagonal shaped coin and the 20 piso 2-tone coin consisting of bronze-plated steel and nickel-plated steel. The 5 piso coin was released in a new shape as reports indicate that many people were confusing the round 5 piso coin with the 1 piso coin.
It must also be noted that during this series a number of special release legal tender coins (not specifically for circulation) were also minted. You may also notice that the 10 sentimo coin was dropped from the lineup leaving 1, 5, and 25 sentimo coins as the fractional unit coins.
All coins in this series feature a prominent Filipino national heroes on the obverse and native flora on the reverse.
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Face Value: 1 sentimo Composition: Nickel-plated steel Diameter: 15mm Catalog Code: KM 297
Mintage Years: 2017- BetterYears: –
Face Value: 5 sentimo Composition: Nickel-plated steel Diameter: 16mm Catalog Code: KM 298
Mintage Years:2017- BetterYears: –
Face Value: 25 sentimo Composition: Nickel-plated steel Diameter: 21mm Catalog Code: KM 299
Mintage Years:2017- BetterYears: –
Face Value: 1 piso Composition: Nickel-plated steel Diameter: 23mm Catalog Code: KM 300
Mintage Years:2017- BetterYears: –
Face Value: 5 piso Composition: Nickel-plated steel Diameter: 25mm Catalog Code: KM 302
Mintage Years:2017- 2019 BetterYears: –
Face Value: 5 piso (nonagonal shaped) Composition: Nickel-plated steel Diameter: 25mm Catalog Code: KM 302b
Mintage Years: 2019- BetterYears: –
Face Value: 10 piso Composition: Nickel-plated steel Diameter: 27mm Catalog Code: KM 303
Mintage Years: 2017-2019 BetterYears: –
Face Value: 20 piso Composition: Bronze-plated steel (ring); Nickel-plated steel (centre) Diameter: 30mm Catalog Code: KM 313