Coin Collection: The Flora and Fauna Series

In 1983, the flora and fauna series of coins were first minted and introduced to the public. During my childhood, this was the coinage I grew up to know. The 1, 5, and 10 centavos were made from aluminum and was rarely accepted as currency in small stores so we played with those coins as play money. We called them "kulikak" and until now I have no idea where the term came from and what it really means. In case you know, maybe you can share. The 25 centavo coin, we called "binting", was the smallest acceptable denomination. The 50 centavo coin was nickel and featured the Philippine Eagle. We called this one "salapi". I'm not sure, but I think this coin is where the coin toss "tao o ibon" came from. Then there is the iconic "piso", 1 peso, with the tamaraw. Its funny because we all thought it was the carabao. I remember the first time I spent 1 peso because I called it "uno" instead of piso, which made the tindera laugh. Of course who can forget the unique, decagon shaped, 2 peso coin we call "dos". This was the highest coin denomination at the time; the five peso was still paper. The last year of minting for this series was in 1990. In 1991 they reduced the size of the coins, made the 2 peso coin round, but retained the 1, 5, and 10 centavos.

I recently collected the entire series. The 1, 5, and 10 centavo coins however are not from 1983. The rest from 25 centavos to the 2 peso coin are all 1983's. Again my goal is to complete a 1983 set. For now I'll make do with different dates.

Kulikak (1, 5, 10 centavo coins)

Obverse: Lapu lapu, "Republika ng Pilipinas", year mark

Reverse: Voluta imperialis, 1 Sentimo

Obverse: Melchora Aquino, "Republika ng Pilipinas", year mark

Reverse: Vanda sanderiana (Waling waling, a rare and highly-prized orchid endemic to the island of Mindanao)

Obverse: Francisco Baltasar, "Republika ng Pilipinas", year mark

Reverse: Pandaka pygmaea, 10 Sentimo

Binting (25 Centavos)

Obverse: Juan Luna, "Republika ng Pilipinas", year mark

Reverse: Graphium idaeoides, 25 Sentimo

Salapi (50 Centavos)

Obverse: Marcelo H. del Pilar, "Republika ng Pilipinas", year mark

Reverse: Pithecophaga jefferyi (Philippine Eagle/Monkey-eating Eagle), 50 Sentimo

Piso (1 peso)

Obverse: Jose Rizal, "Republika ng Pilipinas", year mark

Reverse: Anoa mindorensis (tamaraw), 1 Piso

Dos (2 pesos)

Obverse: Andres Bonifacio, "Republika ng Pilipinas", year mark



Reverse: Cocos nucifera, 2 Piso

There you have it. My own Flora and Fauna coin collection. Info on the coins from:

http://philmoney.blogspot.com/search/label/Flora%20and%20Fauna%20Series 

I will share with you a cool trivia about the 50 centavo coin on my next post. This is all for now.

Enjoy!

Coin Collection: Commemorative Coins

My coin collecting hobby has recently been rekindled. I have been collecting coins since I was a child, but as a child would, I put my coins, unprotected, in one box. Which would mean, that any coin in good condition before, is now ruined. My collection remains in my room in our house in the province. Right now it is out of my reach. So i figured i would start a collection where i am right now and try to complete the Philippine coin series from the American occupation to the present. Right now I will be sharing to you the commemorative coins I have.

In the Philippines, there are a lot of commemorative coins and the really rare ones are real treasures of you happen to have one. Since there are too many commemorative coins, of which some are impossible to own in my lifetime,  I will only talk about the ones I do have in my possession. I am not a professional collector, nor an expert in coins. I am merely a novice enthusiast who appreciates historical currencies. The holders of my coins are my own DIY version and may not be up to standards with the real coin holders. My purpose is just to protect from scratches and fingerprints.


Below is my collection of commemorative coins that are with me. Notice the coins on the top row have duplicates. First two coins on the top row from left are, 1989 Dekada ng Kulturang Pilipino 1 peso coins. The two decagon coins on the upper right are, 1991 Ika-100 Taong Kaarawan Jose P. Laurel 2 peso coins. Lower left, 1992 Araw ng Kagitingan Ika-50 Anibersaryo 1 peso coin. Lower right, 1991 Ika-400 Taon ng Antipolo 1 Peso Coin.

All 1 peso coins i got from a collectors store in Megamall. The 2 peso coins i got from a bag of coins in the house.

More details below.

One Peso Araw ng Kagitingan 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin (1992)


OBVERSE:
Philippine Flag, Dambana ng Kagitingan, Bust of Philippine Solidier
"Araw ng Kagitingan" "1942-1992" "Ika-50 Anibersaryo"

REVERSE:
Seal of the Philippines, "Republika ng Pilipinas" "1 Piso"

One Peso Dekada ng Kulturang Pilipino Commemorative Coin (1989)

Obverse:
Busts of 3 Indigenous Filipinos, Rice Terraces, Hills, Abaca Plants, Zamboanga Vintas, "Dekada ng Kulturang Pilipino" 1988-1998

One Peso Dekada ng Kulturang Pilipino Commemorative Coin (1989)
Reverse:
Seal of the Philippines, "Republika ng Pilipinas", "1-Piso", Year Mark

 One Peso Antipolo 400th Year Anniversary Commemorative Coin (1991)

OBVERSE:
Hinulugang Taktak Waterfalls, Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) on the San Jose, Artocarpus incisa (Breadfruit tree), "Ika-400 Taon ng Antipolo, Rizal"1591-1991

REVERSE:
Seal of the Philippines, "Republika ng Pilipinas", 1-Piso

Two Peso Jose P. Laurel Birth Centenary Commemorative Coin (1991)

Obverse:
Jose P. Laurel "Ika-100 Taong Kaarawan" 1891-1991

Reverse:
1943 Seal of the Republic of the Philippines with an equilateral triangle with the words Kapayapaan (Peace), Kalayaan (liberty), Katarungan (Justice). "Republika ng Pilipinas", 2 Piso

I missed uploading the Antipolo coin closeups. Will update later.

Update: Antipolo Coin has been uploaded.

Info on the coins courtesy of:
http://philmoney.blogspot.com/search/label/Commemorative%20Coins

Enjoy!