American Period

After the United States took control of the Philippines, the United States Congress passed the Philippine Coinage Act (March 3, 1903), established the unit of currency to be a theoretical gold peso (not coined) consisting of 12.9 grains of gold 0.900 fine , equivalent to ₱2,933.07 modern pesos of as of 22 December 2010

In 1901, America defeated Spain and took over the country. The Philippine Coinage

Act was passed by the US Congress. It authorized the production of silver coins

from 1903 to 1912. These coins were minted from the Philadelphia, San

Francisco and Denver mints. The coin was designed by a young Filipino artist named

Melecio Figueroa.

Silver certificates were issued until 1918, later replaced with Treasury Certificates

from 1918 to 1935. Because of high cost of minting and transportation, the American

government decided to re-open the Manila mint in 1920. The mint produced coins until the Commonwealth government.

Notable coins during this period are those issued for use within the Culion Leper

Colony.

Obverse: Lady Liberty striking an anvil with a hammer with a volcano (Mt. Mayon) erupting in the background, "One Peso", "Filipinas"

Reverse: arms of the US Territories, "United States of America", year mark

Shape: roundEdge: reeded

Material: silverDesigner: Melecio Figueroa

Obverse: Lady Liberty striking an anvil with a hammer with a volcano (Mt. Mayon) erupting in the background, "Ten Centavos", "Filipinas"

Reverse: arms of the US Territories, "United States of America", year markShape: roundEdge: reeded

Diameter: 11.0mmMaterial: silver

Designer: Melecio Figueroa

Obverse: figure of a man seated beside an anvil and holding a hammer with a volcano (Mt. Mayon) erupting in the background, "Five Centavos", "Filipinas"

Reverse: arms of the US Territories, "United States of America", year mark

Shape: roundEdge: plain

Diameter: 21.2 mm (1903-28)19mm (1930-45)

Weight: 77.16 grains (1903-28)75.16 grains (1930-45)

Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel (1903-41),65% copper, 12% nickel, 23% zinc (1944-45)

Designer: Melecio Figueroa

The dimensions of this coin were changed in 1930. When the size of the 20 centavo coin was reduced, it had about the

same size as the 5 centavo coin. Because of the losses because of the confusion between the two coins, the 5 centavo coin

was reduced in size.

Obverse: figure of a man seated beside an anvil and holding a hammer with a volcano (Mt. Mayon) erupting in the background, "Five Centavos", "Filipinas"

Reverse: arms of the US Territories, "United States of America", year markShape: round

Edge: plainMaterial: copperDiameter: 24mmWeight: 40 grains

Composition: 95% copper, 5% zinc and tin (1903-1941); 95% copper, 5% zinc (1903-1941)

Designer: Melecio Figueroa

Obverse: figure of a man seated beside an anvil and holding a hammer with a volcano (Mt. Mayon) erupting in the background, "Five Centavos",

"Filipinas"Reverse: arms of the US Territories, "United States of America", year mark

Shape: roundEdge: plain

Material: copperDiameter: 17.8mmWeight: 30 grains

Composition: 95% copper, 5% zinc and tinDesigner: Melecio Figueroa