50th Anniversary of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is the central bank of the Republic of the Philippines. It was established on 3 July 1993 pursuant to the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the New Central Bank Act of 1993. The BSP took over from the Central Bank of Philippines, which was established on 3 January 1949, as the country’s central monetary authority. The BSP enjoys fiscal and administrative autonomy from the National Government in the pursuit of its mandated responsibilities.

1995 World Youth Day

World Youth Day in 1995 in Manila will be etched in history books as days of wonder and joy ineffable. Four million gathered in one place to pray and commune with each other, to be blessed, to be one. Only Filipinos could throw a spiritual fiesta such as that one.

The man from Poland will be remembered as the "people's Pope." Respected around the world by both Christians and non-Christians, the reach of Pope John Paul II reached across the globe.His papacy is remembered by his tireless ecumenical approach to accommodate other Christian sects as well as to forge a better understanding with the Islamic world. At his funeral, many non-Christian faiths were represented, including representatives from Islam and Buddhism.

75th Anniversary of the University of the Philippines

Commemorating the 75th year of the establishment of the university. The University of the Philippines was established in 1908 by an act of the First Philippine Legislature. Act No. 1870, otherwise known as the University Charter, specifying the function of the University, which is to provide advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences, and arts, and to give professional and technical training. The University began with three initial colleges, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Medicine and Surgery occupying buildings distributed along Padre Faura and R. Hidalgo in Manila as well as a School of Agriculture in Los Baños, Laguna. The succeeding years saw the establishment of additional colleges: the College of Law and the College of Engineering in Manila, as well as units in Los Baños for the College of Agriculture and Forestry. President Edgardo Angara's Diamond Jubilee project rallied the alumni all over the country and abroad in a fund-raising blitz which eventually raised P80 million. This money was earmarked for the creation of new professorial chairs and faculty grants.

World Food Day Commemorative Coin

World Food Day (WFD) was established by FAO's Member Countries at the Organization's Twentieth General Conference in November 1979. The date chosen - 16 October - is the anniversary of FAO.

It has since been observed every year in more than 150 countries. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October, the day on which the Organization was founded in 1945.

Why did they move? Agriculture provided a more dependable source of food, causing populations to increase; eventually excess population migrated to new lands.

President Corazon Aquino Visit to Washington

Philippine President Aquino's Visit Highlights Major Policy Changes. The economic, trade, and investment policies of the new government of the Philippines--now six months old--will be explained to the Reagan Administration, Congress, and U.S. business groups when President Corazon Aquino visits the United States in September.Aquino begins her official visit Sept. 17 in Washington, D.C. Later stops include New York, Boston, and San Francisco. The President and her party will conduct several meetings and seminars at which opportunities for investment in the Philippines will be discussed with U.S. companies. These include a seminar in Washington sponsored by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the ASEAN-U.S. Center for Technology Exchange, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as a dinner speech on Sept. 19 to the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce in New York.

Commemorated in silver and gold coins, President Corazon C. Aquino's Visit to Washington was one of the major events that gained importance to the Filipino people after the EDSA Revolution in 1986.

1976 Board of Governors Annual Meeting

The Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (Fund) and the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (Bank) normally meet once a year to discuss the work of their respective institutions. The Annual Meetings, which generally take place in September-October, have customarily been held in Washington for two consecutive years and in another member country in the third year. The Inaugural Meeting of the Boards of Governors was held in Savannah, Georgia, USA in March 1946. The first Annual Meetings were held in Washington in 1946. The Annual Meetings Program of Seminars is designed to foster creative dialogue among the private sector, government delegates and senior Bank and Fund officials. The Per Jacobsson Lecture on international finance, which is sponsored by a foundation set up in honor of the Fund's third Managing Director, is also given each year in conjunction with the Meetings.

Save the Children

Save the Children fights for children's rights. It delivers immediate and lasting improvements to children’s lives worldwide .
Save the Children works for:
-a world which respects and values each child
-a world which listens to children and learns
-a world where all children have hope and opportunity

Save the Children is the world’s largest independent global movement for children.
There are separate Save the Children organisations in 26 countries working together to improve children’s lives in over 111 countries. The organisations range in size from offices with only few staff members to those employing thousands of people worldwide. The International Save the Children Alliance is a network of all Save the Children organisations, focusing on pooling resources, establishing common policies and carrying out joint projects.
All Save the Children organisations work with children in their own countries as well as through international programmes.

People Power Revolution Commemorative Coin

The People Power Revolution was a non-violent movement of united Filipino citizens led by Corazon “Cory” Aquino, which led to the overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos and Cory Aquino’s ascendancy to the presidency. The revolution revived Philippine democracy and evoked a feeling of nationalism and unity in the nation.
For five days in February 1986 (February 21-25), millions of Filipinos gathered on the Ortigas Avenue intersection of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Metro Manila to overthrow their dictator of more than 20 years, Ferdinand Marcos, who had held power of the Philippines under martial law. EDSA Revolution was seen as a historic triumph. For the first time, poor Filipinos and rich Filipinos, Communists and Church leaders, classes which would never have associated in the past, gathered together in national unity and put their lives at stake to fight for a common cause.

Depicted in (2) two Commemorative type issues; (10-Piso) made of Nickel and (500-Piso) made of Silver released in the year 1988, to celebrate the 2nd year Anniversary of the People Power Revolution.

World Wildlife Fund

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats. WWF works in more than 100 countries around the globe to conserve the diversity of life on earth. With nearly 1.2 million members in the U.S. and another 4 million worldwide, WWF is the world's largest privately financed conservation organization.

That the Philippine Tamaraw, was used to depict the Philippiness contribution in the preservation of out wildlife.
WWF directs its conservation efforts toward three global goals: saving endangered species, protecting endangered habitats and addressing global threats such as toxic pollution, over-fishing and climate change. From working to save the giant panda and bringing back the Asian rhino to establishing and helping to manage parks and reserves worldwide, WWF has been a conservation leader for more than 40 years.

Carlos P. Romulo Centennial Birth Anniversary

General Carlos P. Rómulo (b. January 14, 1899, Camilíng, Tarlac - d. December 15, 1985, Manila) was the President of the Fourth Session of U.N. General Assembly from 1949-1950, and chairman of the UN Security Council. He had served with General Douglas MacArthur in the Pacific, was Ambassador to the US and became the first Asian to win the Pulitzer Prize in journalism in 1942.
He served as Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to the US Congress from 1944 to 1946. He was the signatory for the Philippines to the UN Charter when it was founded in 1946. He was the Philippines' Secretary (Minister from 1973 to 1984) of Foreign Affairs under Pres. Elpidio Quirino from 1950 to 1952, under Pres. Diosdado Macapagal from 1963 to 1964 and under Pres. Ferdinand Marcos from 1968 to 1984.

Featured in silver coinage, sponsored by RCBC Bank to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, commemorating the Centennnial Birth Anniversary of a great world leader.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur Centennial Birth Anniversary

Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1890 -April 5, 1964) was born in Arkansas. His parents were Lt. Arthur MacArthur, he spent much of his childhood in remote parts of New Mexico such as Fort Selden, where his father commanded an infantry company. He was an American military leader. He served in the U.S. Army most of his life, taking part in three major wars and rising to the rank of General of the Army. President Manuel Quezon of the Philippines also made him a Field Marshall in 1937, the only American to ever hold such a rank, which he held until his death.

An American hero admired by Filipinos, for his courage and commitment to the country, to fight for freedom and democracy, featured mostly by the Central Bank of the Philippines on coinage which is significant for its contribution to Philippine history.

Gen. MacArthur Defender & Liberator of the Philippines

Half-Peso

General Douglas MacArthur
One Peso
General Douglas MacArthur



One of the most decorated soldiers in the history of the United States military, MacArthur became famous for both losing and retaking the Philippines During World War II. He was appointed Supreme Allied Commander in the South Pacific Area and led a series of military victories by Allied forces in the theatre. After Imperial Japan surrendered to the Allies in 1945, MacArthur became the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers , rebuilding Japan during the Allied occupation. During the Korean War, MacArthur was removed from command for insubordination to U.S. President Truman, causing a national controversy.

American forces under MacArthur's command took back the Philippines in October 1944, fulfilling MacArthur's vow to return to the Philippines and consolidating their hold on the archipelago after heavy fighting. In September 1945 MacArthur received the Japanese surrender which ended World War II.




He was awarded and received the Medal of Honor for his leadership in the Southwest Pacific Theater. Philippine President Sergio Osmena also decorated him with the Philippines' highest military award, the Medal of Valor.

Issued in honor of his contribution to Philippine history, the Central Bank of the Philippines released (2) diffrent Commemorative Coins in 1949.

Emilio Aguinaldo Centennial Birth Celebration

Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy (March 22, 1869- February 6, 1964) was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader.
The seventh of eight children of Carlos Aguinaldo and Trinidad Famy, he was born into a Chinese-mestizo family in Kawit,Cavite. His father was gobernadorcillo (town head), and as members of the Chinese-mestizo minority they enjoyed relative wealth and power. As a young boy, Aguinaldo received basic education from his great-aunt and later attended the town's elementary school. In 1880, he took up his secondary course education at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, which he quit on his third year to return home instead to help his widowed mother manage their farm.At the age of 17, Emilio was elected cabeza de barangay of Binakayan, the most progressive barrio of Kawit. He held this position serving for his town-mates for eight years. Until he spearheaded the revolt over the Spanish rule and declared Philippine indepence in June 12, 1898.

In honor of this great hero, a nice piece of silver commemorative coin was made to vindicate his importance to the Philippine indepence and history per se.

Apolinario Mabini Centennial Birth Anniversary

Apolinario Mabini (July 23,1864- May 13, 1903) was a Filipino theoretician who wrote the constitution for the first Philippine republic of 1899-1901, and served as its first prime minister in 1899. Early 1896, he contracted an illness, probably infantile paralysis, that led to the paralysis of his lower limbs. When the revolution broke out the same year, the Spanish authorities, suspecting that he was somehow involved in the disturbance, arrested him.
Mabini, it must be noted, was not entirely free from nationalistic association, for he was a member of Rizal's La Liga Filipina and worked secretly for the introduction of reforms in the administration of government. Mabini was most active in the revolution in 1898, when he became the chief adviser of General Aguinaldo. He drafted decrees and created drafts for the first constitution and the framework of the revolutionary government which was implemented in Malolos in 1899.

Andres C. Bonifacio Centennial Birth Anniversary

Andrés Bonifacio y Castro was a leader in the revolution of thePhilippines against Spanish colonial rule. In 1892 he founded the Katipunan revolutionary secret society, which would later become the core of the Philippine Revolutinary Army. With the establishment of theKatipunan, Andrés Bonifacio became popularly known as the Father of the Revolution.
Featured on silver coin depicting his birth was released in 1963, to promote patriotism and honor to this great Filipino hero.

Banawe Rice Terraces Commemorative Coin

Banawe Rice Terraces- refered as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. Featured in the 1977 Commemorative Coin. These rice terraces were carved out of the harsh, mountainous landscape of Banaue several thousand years ago. More wondrous is the fact that these terraces are still functional today. Access to Banaue is difficult, as roads are rough, but the effort is always worth it.Accomodations in the rustic towns are simple but comfortable, as well as very inexpensive
.The Banawe rice terraces in the Philippines are one of the world's wonders and have been declared by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site. Golden rice fields and seemingly endless rice terraces add beauty to the landscape. Rice is also the country's staple food. Though rice is produced throughout the country, the Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley are the major rice growing regions. The wet-season rice crop in the north lasts from June to November and the dry-season crop from January to May-June. In the south it is the reverse: wet-season crops last from October-November to March-April and dry-season crops from May-June to November.

1970 Pope Paul VI C/S 1981 Pope John Paul II

In 1981, as part of the visit of Pope John Paul II in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos has instructed the Central Bank of the Philippines to Counter Stamp all unsold coins that were offered in commemorating the visit of Pope Paul VI in 1970, as to give commemoration to the newly installed Pope on that year.
That the visit of Pope John Paul II has aimed to sit down with ecumenical church leaders and make clear that they are seeking a Christian unity that would gloss over basic theological differences. There remain many obstacles, such as the ordination of women, papal authority, Mariology, contraception, and even a general fear of “bigness.” Ecumenists believe, however, that much progress can result from a continuing stress on the many points on which the churches agree.

Sea shells as Cash

China, Shang dynasty (1530-1100 BC), cowrie shell Cypraea Annulus, value 3 shu .
The cowrie shell has been regarded as an origin of the divine in China from the earliest time. To protect against evil, one carried it as an amulet and put it into the grave of deceased. When queen Fu Hao, wife of powerful king Wu Ting, died around 1300 BC, 6880 kauri mussels were put into her gave. In addition, over 200 valuable bronze vessels, 6000 small sculptures made of jade and 16 people, probably from her own staff, were found.
Over time, the function of the cowrie sea shell expanded - after 1530 BC, documents show that Kauri sea shells are used as a reward, too. The cowrie shown here dates approximately from this time. No money form lasts longer in the Chinese empire: cowrie are known and used since the Zhang dynasty (1500-1045 BC; the Zhang dynasty founded the first period of a uniform culture and sovereign territory in China, writing art and bronze processing flourished) up to their demonetization in 1578 AC. Regionally, they are used even until the 20th century.

2000-Piso Centennial Commemorative Banknote

The Central Bank of the Philippines issued only 300,000 pieces of this 216mmx133mm 2,000 Philippine piso centennial commemorative legal tender banknote.

The obverse side features President Joseph Ejercito Estrada taking his oath of office on June 30, 1998 in the historic Barasoain Church, the seat of the first democratic republic in Asia shown in the background as well as the scroll of the Malolos Constitution and the seal of the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas).
The security features of the note include a 3-dimensional cylinder mould-made portrait watermark of the two presidents and the years 1898-1998, iridescent band, colour-shift windowed security thread, latent image and perfect see-through register.

1936 Creation of the Philippine Commonwealth

The Commonwealth of the Philippines was a political designation to the Filipino people by the U.S. government for the Philippines, which ran from 1935 to 1946. The Commonwealth of the Philippines was envisioned as a transition government to rule for 10 years, preparatory to full Philippine independence. The Commonwealth was established after the acceptance by the Philippine Legislature of the Philippine Independence Act, popularly known as the Tydings-McDuffie Law. The law authorized the drafting of a constitution for the Philippines, by a popularly-elected constitutional convention. Upon the ratification of the constitution by the Filipino people, it would then be submitted to the President of the United States who would certify its having met certain requirements in the Independence Act. Thereafter, the Filipino people would then be permitted to elect their own government with full autonomy.

October 1935, the Filipinos held the first national election in its history, electing President Manuel L. Quezon as its first President. With the inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1936, three commemorative coins was released to commemorate the event, featuring U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor-General to the Philippines William Francis Murphy, and President Manuel Quezon, with the denomination (2) One Peso coin and (1) Half Peso.

That, in early 1942, after the fall of Manila, which was then declared as Open City, it is said that the Japanese Imperial Army, threw all Philippine-U.S. Coinage which was retrieved from the Manila Mint, at the Bays of Manila, which mostly includes the said series of commemoratives.

That, at present, after treasure hunters and collectors dived in and retrieved some of the coins at the bays of Manila, most of these kind of coins was seen eroded and has slightevidence of deterioration due to the effects of the sea water to the coin metal itself. And for me these are one of the collections you shouldn't miss.

President Woodrow Wilson Medal

President Woodrow Wilson Medal
Inauguration of the Manila Mint

In 1920, a branch of the US mint was established in Manila, Philippines, which was then a colonozed by the United States of America. Initiated by President Woodrow Wilson, to date, the Manila Mint was the only US mint established outside of the US continents and was tasked for producing coins for the colony. The branch was in production from 192o until 1922, and then again from 1925 through 1941, until the World War II broke. Coins which was struck by this mint either bear the "M" mintmark (for Manila) or none at all - similar to the Philadelphia mint at the time.

Banknote Briquettes

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is the central monetary authority of the Philippines. Its objective is to maintain price and banking stability.
As a monetary manager, it is responsible for printing Philippine currency notes as well as their issuance and retirement from the system.

As part of its commitment to the preservation of the environment and the conservation of resources, unfit banknotes and production waste are converted into briquettes for recycling purposes. The box containing this briquette is made of recycled material.

Ancient Chinese Silver Ingots

Silver in ancient China was very rare and precious due to the lack of rich domestic mines at that time. Silver deposits usually were found in the same ore bodies as minerals such as quartz, lead, and antimony, and the technology for refining and purifying silver was not mastered until the Tang Dynasty, a much later date than that for copper.

Silver ingots were a major form of currency in Chinese history for a period of more than a thousand years. Silver was not the only precious metal used in ancient China (as a matter of fact, it was relatively more valuable then than now) but was also taken as an exchange media, e.g., Money. People used cash coins for smaller transactions and ingots for bigger ones. Therefore, ingots were considered the money of the rich and some of the poor never saw an ingot in their lifetime.

Republica Filipina Papel Moneda de UN PESO

Issued in 1899, a series released under the Philippine Revolutionary Government under the Administration of President Emillio Aguinaldo.

This series is said to be one of the rarest banknotes ever released in Philippine Banknote History, especially those series signed by the El Presidente del Consejo de Gobierno, Pedro A. Paterno.

Reveals the desire of the Filipinos for independence, in pursuing self governance and sustaining freedom from the Spanish Colony and American Regime.