Philippine half-centavo coin

The Philippine half-centavo coin (½¢), a denomination of Philippine currency, was issued when the Philippines was under US administration. It bears the names of both countries: Filipinas (the Spanish name of the Philippines) and the United States of America.[1]

Half centavo
Philippines
Value0.005 Philippine peso
Diameter17.5 mm
EdgePlain
CompositionBronze
Years of minting1904–1908
Obverse
DesignFigure of a man seated beside an anvil holding a hammer and Mt. Mayon, year of minting
Design date1904
Reverse
DesignSeal of the United States of America
Design date1904

Filipino sculptor Melecio Figueroa was hired to design the coin. It features a man with a hammer and anvil, seating in front of Mayon Volcano.[2]

In 1903 and 1904, the US mint at Philadelphia struck bronze-minted half-centavo coins for circulation.[3] Eventually, the coin was withdrawn from circulation because it was rejected by Filipinos for its low value. After 1908, all remaining half centavos were melted.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Guth, Ron. "U.S. Philippines - PCGS CoinFacts". www.pcgscoinfacts.com. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  2. ^ "Designs on money". Manila Bulletin News. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  3. ^ Guth, Ron. "Half Centavos - PCGS CoinFacts". www.pcgscoinfacts.com. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  4. ^ CoinWeek (2016-09-01). "Philippine Coinage Under U.S. Administration". CoinWeek. Retrieved 2018-11-05.