Coins of the Philippine peso
Philippine peso coins are issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for circulation in the Philippines and are currently available in seven denominations. The Philippine peso has been in use since Spanish rule.
History
Both Spain and the United States struck coins for the Philippines while the latter was their colony. Spanish issues were 1 peso, 2 pesos and 4 pesos. Silver fractional coinage ran from 1864–1868 and again from 1880–1885 and were in the denominations of ten centavo, twenty centavo and fifty centavo.The United States also struck coins for use in the Philippines from 1903 to 1945. Denominations included the centavo, one centavo, five centavo, 10 centavo, 20 centavo, 50 centavo, and one peso. The and 1 centavo coins were struck in bronze, the 5 centavo struck in Copper - Nickel, the 10, 20, 50 centavo and peso coins were struck in a silver composition. From 1903 to 1906, the silver coins had a silver content of 90%, while those struck after 1906 had a reduced silver content of 75% for 10 through 50 centavos and 80% for the peso. In both cases the silver was alloyed with copper.
The obverse of these coins remained largely unchanged during the years 1903 to 1945. The centavo, one centavo, and five centavo coins depict a Filipino man kneeling against an anvil, with a hammer resting at his side. He is on the left side, while on the right side there is a simmering volcano, Mt. Mayon, topped with smoke rings. This figure is an allegory for the hard work being done by the native peoples of the Philippines in building their own future.
The obverse of the 10, 20, 50 centavo, and peso coins are similar, but they show the figure of Liberty, a standing female figure in the act of striking the anvil with a hammer. This was done to show the work being done by Americans in building a better Philippines. Liberty appears on the silver coins, instead of the base metal coins.
The reverse of the coins comes in two varieties. The earliest coins were minted when the islands were a US Territory, and they bear the arms of the US Territories. This is a broad winged eagle, sitting atop a shield divided into two registers. The upper register has 13 stars, and the lower register has 13 vertical stripes. The date appears at the bottom, and "United States of America" appears at the top.
When the islands became a US Commonwealth, the arms of the Commonwealth were adopted. This seal is composed of a much smaller eagle with its wings pointed up, perched over a shield with peaked corners, above a scroll reading "Commonwealth of the Philippines". It is a much busier pattern, and widely considered less attractive.
Coins were minted at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, Denver, and Manila mints. Most of the coins struck at the Manila mint occurred after 1925.
Proof sets were struck for collectors from 1903 to 1908. It is likely that a large majority of these sets remained unsold at the time they were issued. The recorded mintage for sets in 1905, 1906, and 1908 is a modest 500.
Defenders of Corregidor threw a large number of silver coins into the ocean, rather than allow the Japanese to accumulate this wealth. A great deal of the booty was later recovered, but many of those were badly corroded.
Among the rarest coins in the U.S. Philippines series from the collectors' standpoint are the 1906-S One Peso, the 1916-S Five Centavos, the 1918-S Five Centavo Mule, the 1903-S Twenty Centavos and the 1915-S One Centavo.
Three Commemorative coins were minted to celebrate the Commonwealth in 1936. They show President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon and U.S. High Commissioner Frank Murphy, who also has served as the last Governor General of the Islands. The 50 Centavo commemorative has a reported mintage of 20,000 pieces, was struck in 75% silver, and weighs 10 grams. The two varieties of One Peso commemorative had reported mintages of 10,000 pieces. They weigh 20 grams, and are 90% silver.
After the granting of independence to the Philippines in 1946, no coins were minted for the Philippine Republic until 1958, other than a small silver commemorative issue in 1947 to honor General Douglas MacArthur. Totals of 200,000 50 centavos and 100,000 one peso coins were minted with the general's image on the obverse and the national coat-of-arms on the reverse. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, they carry the "S" mintmark below the date.
In 1958, the 20 centavos was replaced with a 25 centavos and all coins were resized to be the same diameter as their US equivalents, albeit in more base metals, other than the centavo. The same seated man with anvil and volcano or standing liberty with anvil and volcano designs were retained for the obverses while the seal of the Central Bank of the Philippines dominated the reverse. These coins were minted by the Philadelphia Mint from 1958 through 1963, and then by the Royal Mint in England and the Vereinigte Deutsche Metallweke in West Germany in 1965 and 1966. In view of all subsequent issues using the Tagalog language, this coinage is often referred to as the "English Series" since it uses the English language.
The next series was introduced in 1967, introducing images of various Philippine national heroes, and the use of the Tagalog language, hence being called the "Pilipino Series." The sizes of the coins were reduced. These coins were struck by the various US mints, except for some 50 centavos pieces dated 1972 which were minted in Singapore, and a couple commemorative issues struck by the Sherritt Mint in Canada. In 1972 the one peso denomination was reintroduced.
In commemoration of Fedinand Marcos' declaration of Martial Law, a new series of coinage was issued in 1975, referred to as the Ang Bagong Lipunan Series. The 50 sentimo was done away with as a denomination and a new 5 peso issue took its place. A variety of mints provided these coins, including the Royal Mint in England and the Vereinigte Deutsche Metallweke in West Germany, Philadelphia and San Francisco mints in the US, the Franklin Mint, the Sherritt Mint in Canada, and finally the Philippine's own mint, once it was opened and able to produce coinage. From this point on, the Philippine Mint produced nearly all Philippine coinage.
After eight years, the Ang Bagong Lipunan series gave way to a new series titled the Flora and Fauna Series, in which the coins, in addition to featuring various Philippine national heroes as before, also began featuring various plant and animal life forms native to the Philippines. The 50 sentimo and 2 piso denominations were reintroduced, which latter had not been struck as a coin since the Spanish had struck it in gold. The 5 Piso denomination was stopped, but resumed concurrent to the final four years of the Flora and Fauna Series which featured reduced sizes for all denominations. The Flora and Fauna Series was struck from 1983 through 1994.
In 1995, the New BSP Series was introduced, which is still circulating today. Only this current series of coins are legal tender as of January 2, 1998, when the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issued BSP Circular No. 81 which called for the demonetization of all previous existing Central Bank coins minted before 1995.
Recently, fake 10- and 5-piso coins dating 2001 and 2002 have entered circulation. Because of this, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issued a warning and several security measures on importing and falsifying Philippine coins. And it is because the BSP has announced that there is an artificial shortage of coins last June 2006. The BSP has asked the public to use all small coins or to have them exchanged for banknotes in local banks or other financial institution.
Denominations worth 25 sentimo and below are still issued but have been increasingly regarded as a nuisance. Proposals to retire and demonetize all coins less than one peso in value have been rejected by the government and the BSP.
On November 29, 2017, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas announced the release of the first coin in the New Generation Currency Coin series for circulation starting December 2017. As a tribute to the 154th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, the first coin to be released was the new silver-colored 5-peso coin featuring Bonifacio on the obverse, replacing Emilio Aguinaldo. The reverse features the Tayabak plant and the new BSP logo. The rest of the NGC coin series were presented on March 26, 2018.
The 20 piso banknote will be changed into a coin to be released in the last quarter of 2019 or first quarter of 2020 to solve the over-usage of the banknote leading for only one year to exchange it a new one, as the University of the Philippines said. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas states that the 20 piso coin lasts for 10 to 15 years longer than the banknote which has the same value. They were released on December 17, 2019.
Formerly circulating coins
The Philippines under U.S. Sovereignty
Commonwealth Issues
In 1935, when the Commonwealth was established by the Congress of the United States, they issued a three-piece commemorative set to commemorate the occasion. In 1937, the Commonwealth Arms were adapted to all circulating coinage.Commonwealth Commemorative Issues
English series
In 1958, a new, entirely base metal coinage was introduced, consisting of bronze 1 centavo, brass 5 centavos and nickel-brass 10, 25 and 50 centavos. This series was demonetized after August 31, 1979, except for the 10-centavo that was demonetized only after January 2, 1998.Pilipino series
In 1967, the coinage was altered to reflect the use of Filipino names for the currency units. 1-piso coins were reintroduced in 1972. The series was demonetized on Jan. 2, 1998.''Ang Bagong Lipunan'' series
In 1975, the Ang Bagong Lipunan series, was introduced with ₱5 coins included for this series. Aluminium replaced bronze and cupro-nickel replaced nickel-brass that year. The series was demonetized on Jan. 2, 1998.Flora and Fauna series
The Flora and Fauna series was introduced in 1983 which included ₱2 coins. This series used the Optima typeface. ₱5 coins were reintroduced in 1991, and reduced-size 25-sentimo, 50-sentimo, ₱1 and ₱2 coins were distributed starting Dec 1992. Production of 50-sentimo and ₱2 coins ceased in 1995. The series was demonetized on Jan. 2, 1998.The Flora and Fauna series had an error for some coins, in 1983. The text for 10 centavos for scientific name of the Philippine goby was "Pandaka pygmea" instead of "Pandaka pygmaea" and the 50 centavo coin for the Philippine eagle was "Pithecobhaga jefferyi" instead of "Pithecophaga jefferyi".
Circulating coins
BSP Coin series
In December 1995, a new set of coins and notes was issued which carried the logo of the new BSP: 5- and 1-piso and 25-, 10-, 5- and 1-sentimo, with the aim of carrying out the demonetization of all previous series by Jan 2, 1998. On July 10, 2001, BSP issued the 10-piso coin for general circulation to commemorate its 8th anniversary. It has the profiles of Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini in a con-joint or in tandem manner on the obverse side. The reverse side bears the seal of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas which is consistent with the common reverse design of the other six denominations. This has been an additional denomination to the current coin circulation and a replacement for the 10-piso NDS banknote. The series used again the Optima typeface.The 1995, 1997 and 1998 5 peso coins had no mint marks, but coins issued from 1999 onward had mint marks. The 1997 and 1998 coins were minted by the Royal Canadian Mint. However, not all 1997 and 1998 coins were minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, quite a few were minted by the BSP.
New Generation Currency Coin series
On March 26, 2018, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas introduced the New Generation Currency Coin Series which was circulated through banks on March 27. The new series features native Philippine flora. Sentimo denominated coins depict a stylized representation of the Philippine flag on the obverse. Peso denominated coins depict the portraits of renowned national heroes of the Philippines on the obverse. However, the 10-sentimo coin is not included in this series, because it was removed as a general circulation coin. This series uses the Twentieth Century and the Helvetica Neue typeface.In July 2019, the BSP announced plans to replace the P20 bill with a P20 coin by the 1st quarter of 2020.
In September 2019, Benjamin Diokno finally came up on having a solution for the ₱5 coin that is always confused with the current ₱1 coins, the new ₱5 coin that will be minted will have a nonagonal shape. Also, the ₱20 coin was finally designed in the same month and both coins were released on December 17, 2019.
| Obverse | Reverse | Face Value | Diameter | Mass | Edge Thickness | Composition | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | Introduced |
| 1 sentimo | 15 mm | 1.90 g | 1.54 mm | Nickel-plated steel | Plain | "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Three stars and the sun ; Value; Year of minting; Mint mark | Xanthostemon verdugonianus ; logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas | March 26, 2018 | ||
| 5 sentimo | 16 mm | 2.20 g | 1.60 mm | Nickel-plated steel | Reeded | "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Three stars and the sun ; Value; Year of minting; Mint mark | Calotropis gigantea ; logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas | March 26, 2018 | ||
| 25 sentimo | 20 mm | 3.60 g | 1.65 mm | Nickel-plated steel | Plain | "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Three stars and the sun ; Value; Year of minting; Mint mark | Dillenia philippinensis ; logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas | March 26, 2018 | ||
| ₱1 | 23 mm | 6.00 g | 2.05 mm | Nickel-plated steel | Segmented | "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Portrait of José Rizal; Value; Year of minting; Mint mark | Vanda sanderiana ; logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas | March 26, 2018 | ||
| ₱5 | 25 mm | 7.40 g | 2.20 mm | Nickel-plated steel | Plain | "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Portrait of Andrés Bonifacio; Value; Microprint of "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Year of minting; Mint mark | Strongylodon macrobotrys ; logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Microprint of "Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas" | November 30, 2017 | ||
| ₱5 | 25 mm | 7.40 g | 2.20 mm | Nickel-plated steel | Plain | "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Portrait of Andrés Bonifacio; Value; Microprint of "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Year of minting; Mint mark | Strongylodon macrobotrys ; logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Microprint of "Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas" | December 17, 2019 | ||
| ₱10 | 27 mm | 8.00 g | 2.05 mm | Nickel-plated steel | Reeded with edge inscription of "BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS" in italics | "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Portrait of Apolinario Mabini; Value; Microprint of "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Year of minting; Mint mark | Medinilla magnifica ; logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Microprint of "Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas"; Microdots | March 26, 2018 | ||
| ₱20 | 30 mm | 11.50 g | 2.10 mm | Ring: bronze-plated steel | Plain edge with inscription of "BSP" at six angles | Ring: "Republika ng Pilipinas" | Scyphiphora ; logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Malacañang Palace; Microprint of "Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas" | December 17, 2019 | ||
| ₱20 | 30 mm | 11.50 g | 2.10 mm | Center: nickel-plated steel | Plain edge with inscription of "BSP" at six angles | Center: Portrait of Manuel Quezon; Value; Microprint of "Republika ng Pilipinas"; Year of minting; Mint mark | Scyphiphora ; logo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Malacañang Palace; Microprint of "Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas" | December 17, 2019 |
Current legal tender commemorative coins
On December 9, 2011, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issued a commemorative one-peso coin in celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of José Rizal. The coins are in the same dimensions as the circulating one peso coins with Rizal's face from the front instead of in profile. The new coin also has the new logo of the central bank and is legal tender with the current series.On December 18, 2013, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issued a commemorative ten-peso coin in celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio. The coins are in the same dimensions but the design changed. These also featured the new logo of the central bank and is also legal tender.
On December 22, 2014, the BSP issued three commemorative coins, a five-peso coin to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings, a five-peso coin honoring Overseas Filipinos with the theme "Bagong Bayani" and a ten-peso coin celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Apolinario Mabini.
On January 14, 2015, the BSP issued two limited edition commemorative coins for the papal visit of Pope Francis, a 50-peso coin made of nickel-brass steel and a 500-peso coin made of Nordic gold with gold plating. A special logo with the theme "Mercy and Compassion" was minted on the reverse side of both coins, following the Pope's papal bull of indiction proclaimed later that year to mark the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The coins are minted under a licensing agreement with the Vatican. Both coins are legal tender. Production and issuance of two additional silver and gold coins in 1000-peso and 10,000-peso denominations were called off due to limitations in the procurement process.
On December 21, 2015, the BSP issued a commemorative 10-peso coin in honor of General Miguel Malvar, in time for the 150th year birth anniversary.
On January 27, 2017, the BSP issued a commemorative one-peso coin in honor of the Philippines' Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
In August and November 2017, the BSP issued commemorative one-peso coins and 10-peso coin both honoring the 100th anniversary of the birth of educator and historian Horacio de la Costa and the 150th anniversary of the birth of three officers of the Philippine Revolutionary Army, Generals Artemio Ricarte, Isidoro Torres and Antonio Luna.