Coin Collection: Phil-Am Commonwealth Coins

In 1937, the The Philippine American Commonwealth was well underway. A new set of coins were minted to replace the American Sovereignty coins. These coins, first minted in 1937, were considered unattractive, but like its predecessors, some of the coins contained silver. Nowadays, silver coins are limited to proof coins and collection set coins and not meant for circulation. These however were regular circulation coins yet were part silver. These were minted until 1945 and were replaced by the English Series coins in 1958. However no coins were minted in the years 1942 and 1943 because that was when the war broke out and I think we, The Philippine Islands, were then occupied by the Japanese at the time.

1944(s) 1 Centavo Coin
Obverse:
Man with a hammer sitting by an anvil with Mt Mayon in the background.
"ONE CENTAVO" "FILIPINAS"
Metal:  Bronze

1944(s) 1 Centavo Coin
Reverse:
Phil-Am Commonwealth coat of arms
"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
s 1944
Minted in San Francisco, USA

1937 5 Centavo Coin
Obverse:Man with a hammer sitting by an anvil with Mt Mayon in the background.
"FIVE CENTAVOS" "FILIPINAS"
Metal: Copper-Nickel
TRIVIA:
There were 2 metal types for this coin.
First, from 1937 to 1941. Coins from these years were minted in Manila and made from Copper-Nickel.
Second, from 1944 to 1945. Coins from these years were minted in the US.
These were made from copper-nickel-zinc.

1937 5 Centavo Coin
Reverse:
Phil-Am Commonwealth coat of arms
"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
1937
This is the oldest Philippine coin in my collection so far.

1945(D) 10 Centavo Coin
Obverse:
Lady Liberty striking an anvil with Mt Mayon in the background.
"TEN CENTAVOS" "FILIPINAS"
Metal:  Silver (.750)

1945 (D) 10 Centavo Coin
Reverse:
Phil-Am Commonwealth coat of arms
"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
D 1945
Coins from 1937 to 1941 were minted in Manila.
1944 to 1945 coins were minted in Denver, USA.

1944(D) 20 Centavo Coin
Obverse:
Lady Liberty striking an anvil with Mt Mayon in the background.
"TWENTY CENTAVOS" "FILIPINAS"
Metal:  Silver (.750)

1944(D) 20 Centavo Coin
Reverse:
Phil-Am Commonwealth coat of arms
"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
D 1944
Coins from 1937 to 1941 were minted in Manila.
1944 to 1945 coins were minted in Denver, USA.

There is one coin missing from this series and that is the Fifty Centavo coin. I posted a blog about it here.

My Cousin owns this one.

It is quite difficult to find coins from 1937. They are either in really bad shape or rather expensive in fine condition and even more expensive in UNC (uncirculated) condition. For now i am satisfied that at least i have almost completed the Philippine Commonwealth coins. Now lets see if someone is willing to donate a coin to complete this series. :P

A better close up view of the 1 Centavo coin. I have 4 of these.

These coins have a dark patina to them, They are well worn, but most details still show.

Enjoy!