Spanish Philippines

For over two centuries, Spain’s vast colonial empire—powered by global trade and the wealth of American silver mines—produced a wide array of coinage across its colonial mints. The majority of coins that circulated in the Philippines during the Spanish period were actually minted in Spanish colonial mints

Philippine counterstamped, countermarked, and chopmarked coins are coins that bear additional markings or alterations intentionally added to their surface. These modifications were typically applied for specific purposes—such as validation, reissuance, or authentication—depending on the historical and geographical context.

Collecting Spanish-Philippine coins offers a unique glimpse into the rich history and heritage of the Philippines during its colonial period

Did you know the 10 Centavos coin is the longest-running denomination in Philippine coinage history? From its silver debut in 1864 to its final appearance in 2017, this humble coin witnessed centuries of change—from Spanish colonization, American occupation, and Commonwealth rule to full independence and modern-day Philippines. Explore its evolution through history, design, and materials—and discover how a small coin made a lasting impact on a nation’s currency.

The Philippine One Peso coin wasn’t always made of base metals. Discover its evolution—from Spanish gold to U.S. silver—and how much it's worth to collectors today.

Did you know the last Spanish coin struck for the Philippines is nicknamed “Batang Alaska”? The 1897 Alfonso XIII UN Peso features a young king whose image reminds Pinoy collectors of the Alaska Milk logo. In this blog, I share my passion for this iconic coin, explore its historical and numismatic value, and offer tips to avoid common replica scams—especially from online sellers abroad.

The Alfonso XII 50 Centavos silver coins, minted in Manila from 1880 to 1885, are prized treasures in Spanish-Philippine coin collecting. With low mintage years like 1880 and 1884, mint errors, and hidden overdates such as 1882/1 and possibly 1883/5, these coins offer rich ground for discovery. In this blog, I share my collecting journey, how I spot errors, and why this underrated series deserves a second look from collectors.