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.

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.