Philippine Numismatic Blogs

When I added a beautiful 1893 Japanese 1 Yen silver coin to my collection, I had no idea how to read the date! Japan uses a fascinating dating system based on its emperors, and in this post, I’ll show you exactly how I deciphered it—from recognizing the Era to translating Japanese numerals.

During WWII, Japan issued its own currency in the Philippines—called Japanese Invasion Money. Nicknamed “Mickey Mouse Money,” these notes quickly lost value due to overprinting, lack of trust, and Allied counterfeiting. But behind these worthless bills lies a fascinating story of economic manipulation and wartime survival.

What do you get when a coin is struck using mismatched dies? In numismatics, it’s called a mule—and in the Philippines, there are three fascinating examples. From the rare 1918-S 5C to the recently recognized 1944-S 50C, this post dives into their stories, how to spot them, and why collectors find them irresistible.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has released its latest commemorative coin—a 750-piso silver piece celebrating the bank’s 75th anniversary. This marks BSP’s third major commemorative issue, following releases in 1999 and 2019. The release was highly anticipated, though not without hiccups on the BSP Store website.

While the world braced for the Y2K bug in 2000, the Philippines quietly launched its first bimetallic coin—the 10 Piso Millennium Coin. Once a circulating coin, it has now become a prized collector’s item with growing market value and historical significance.

Last April 2024, I attended my very first numismatic show—and it was more than just coins on tables. It was a community, a classroom, and a marketplace all rolled into one. Here's what I saw, learned, and why I think every collector should experience it at least once.

Lapulapu, the legendary Datu of Mactan who defeated Magellan in 1521, is a symbol of Filipino resistance. But did you know he appeared only a few times in Philippine coinage? From a humble 1 centavo coin to the highly coveted 2021 5000 Piso commemorative medal, Lapulapu's presence in numismatics is both rare and significant. Discover the medals and coins that celebrate the hero of Mactan and how collectors value them today.

After WWII, silver coins gradually disappeared from daily circulation, but the Philippines continued to issue special silver One Peso coins to commemorate key historical events and figures. From General MacArthur’s Leyte Landing to Jose Rizal’s centennial, these coins are more than just legal tender—they’re miniature monuments of memory.