Half-Centavo Coin - Culion Leper Colony
Obverse: Caduceus, Bureau of Health, year mark (1913) flanked by two stars
Reverse: "1/2 Centavo", "Culion Leper Colony", "Philippine Islands"
Shape: round
Diameter: 19mm
Composition: aluminum
Note on metal composition: This coin belongs to the first batch issued by the American Period in 1913. This batch and another in 1920 were made of aluminum which was later found to be corrosive to antisepctics used in the sanitarium. Later issues in 1922, 1925, 1927, and 1930 were made of nickel.
Note on Caduceus: The caduceus is typically depicted as a short herald's staff entwined by two serpents in the form of a double helix, and sometimes is surmounted by wings. The caduceus is sometimes used as a symbol for medicine, especially in North America.