My Koyns

Identifying cleaned coins is a real challenge—especially when purchasing online. Photos don’t always reveal the subtle signs of cleaning, and it’s hard to tell whether the seller is unaware or simply not disclosing that a coin has been cleaned. Either way, it leaves the buyer guessing.

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.