1/2 Centavo Coin - American Occupation

Half Centavo Coin

American Occupation (1903)

photographs courtesy of www.philippinecoins.com

Obverse: figure of a man seated beside an anvil and holding a hammer with a volcano (Mt. Mayon) erupting in the background, "Five Centavos", "Filipinas"

Reverse: arms of the US Territories, "United States of America", year mark

Shape: round
Edge: plain
Material: copper

Diameter: 17.8mm
Weight: 30 grains
Composition: 95% copper, 5% zinc and tin

Designer: Melecio Figueroa

The minting of this coin was only until 1904. The small size and value of the coin made it unpopular to the public. Proofs were struck until 1908. I personally find it weird why they would bother making a coin of this value.

The figure of the man in the obverse is an allegory for the hard work being done by the Filipinos in building their own future.

Arms of the US Territories

This is a braodwinged eagle, sitting atop a shield divided into two registers. The upper register has 13 stars, and the lower register has 13 vertical stripes.