Sensilyo
Private
Updated:
6/30/2026
Views: 1,328
Sensilyo. It means coins or loose change in Pilipino. It comes from the Spanish word “sencillo” which means small change. Although only a few of the coins in this type set are loose change, it was the first word that came to mind as I was thinking of a name for this set. Philippine Republic coins have undergone periodic changes over the years, creating many different coin series such as the Pilipino series, and the Flora and Fauna series.
As of this writing, the Philippine Republic has seven coin series. This set contains coins that span five of those coin series eras:
⚜️ Pilipino Series Era
In 1967, Philippine coins underwent a radical design change. The long-used Figueroa designs on the obverse of the English series coins were replaced with profiles of Filipino heroes. Additionally, coin inscriptions were changed from English to Pilipino, the national language. So, Peso changed to Piso, and Centavo to Sentimo. Hence the term Pilipino series—the name used to refer to Philippine coins issued by the Central Bank of the Philippines from 1967 to 1974.
⚜️ Ang Bagong Lipunan Series Era
Eighteen coins in this set fall under the Ang Bagong Lipunan (ABL) series era, the name used to refer to Philippine coins issued by the Central Bank of the Philippines from 1975 to 1982. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, “In 1975, the ’Ang Bagong Lipunan’ series was introduced with different designs, specifications and denominational mix from the [previous] Pilipino series. Aluminum replaced bronze and cupro-nickel replaced nickel-brass coins. The 5-piso coin was introduced while the 50-sentimo coin was deleted in the series.” The ABL series got its name because the coins carried the inscription “Ang Bagong Lipunan” (”The New Society") , a movement and program established by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972.
Most of the ABL coins in this set were minted by The Franklin Mint (a private mint located in Pennsylvania, USA) under the authorization of the Central Bank of the Philippines. Three varieties of coins were struck: Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated, and Matte. The Matte variety resembles a business strike coin with its frosted, satiny, non-shiny appearance. This is due to the sandblasted (or acid-etched) dies used, which gave the coin a uniform crème-textured, matte-like surface. Sentimo denominations were not struck with this finish. In the Brilliant Uncirculated variety, both field (flat surface areas) and the relief (raised design elements) were textured completely mirror-like (equally smooth and mirror-like, as if polished). Collectors unfamiliar with this series sometimes mistake these BU varieties for proofs. The difference is that the Franklin Mint ABL proof coins have nicely struck frosted reliefs while the BU's don't have frosting.
⚜️ Flora and Fauna Series Era
After the ABL series came the Flora and Fauna Series era—a series of Philippine peso coins minted from 1983 to 1994. Once again, major changes were made to the coins: The Optima typeface was used; coin sizes were reduced; and in addition to featuring various Philippine national heroes as before, coins began featuring plant and animal life forms native to the Philippines.
Interestingly, the Flora and Fauna series contained errors on two coins, in 1983. The text on the 10-sentimo coin for the scientific name of the Philippine goby was minted as "Pandaka pygmea" instead of "Pandaka pygmaea", and the 50-sentimo coin showing the Philippine eagle misspelled the scientific name as "Pithecobhaga jefferyi" instead of "Pithecophaga jefferyi".
⚜️ Improved Flora and Fauna Series Era
In 1991, the Improved Flora and Fauna Series was introduced. The denominations from 25 sentimo up to 2 pesos were smaller, and the 5-peso coin was reintroduced. Some commemorative coins were minted in the larger size.
⚜️ New Design/BSP Series Era
The last series included in this type set was called the New Design Series (NDS). NDS coins were issued from 1995 to 2017; it was renamed the BSP Series when the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was established in 1993. These coins, in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 sentimo along with 1 and 5 piso, featured the BSP’s new logo. A 10 piso bimetallic coin was added in 1991 (in commemoration of the BSP’s 8th year anniversary) as a replacement for the 10-piso banknote.
⚜️ Goal
My goal is to complete this set. As of this update, I am about halfway there. I'm steadily working on finding good specimens to send in for grading.
⚜️ Creating the Set
Assembling this set was fun, and interesting, but not too difficult. Most of the coins in this set are the core of a couple other sets of mine.
I really enjoy learning about a coin's history and the story of the person, place, or event that it is commemorating. And because of that, I have included some information about each coin so I can share it with you. My Sensilyo type set is a work in progress. I hope you enjoy viewing the set and reading about each coin.
___________
2023 Update
I added a couple more coins and upgraded some. I also updated coin information pertaining to ranking population reports. Quite a few of my coins dropped from the top as new registry set participants added their coins which were graded higher than mine.
—————————
📖 Information sources
Wikipedia contributors. (2020, September 3). Pilipino Series. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 09:17, December 3, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pilipino_Series&oldid=976447645
Wikipedia contributors. (2020, September 3). Ang Bagong Lipunan Series. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 09:18, December 3, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ang_Bagong_Lipunan_Series&oldid=976463914
Wikipedia contributors. (2020, August 26). Flora and Fauna Series. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 09:20, December 3, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flora_and_Fauna_Series&oldid=974987171
Coins and Notes - BSP Coin Series. BSP Coin Series (1995 – Present). Retrieved 09:31, December 3, 2020, from https://www.bsp.gov.ph/SitePages/CoinsAndNotes/BSPCoinSeries.aspx#
Read more...
Top Ranked
Set Awards
Top Ranked
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The NGC Registry is not endorsed by or associated with PCGS or CAC. PCGS is a registered trademark of Collectors Universe, Inc. CAC is a trademark of Certified Acceptance Corporation.
Add Coin
Join NGC for free to add coins, track your collection and participate in the NGC Registry. Learn more >
Join NGC
Already a member? Sign In
The NGC Registry is not endorsed by or associated with PCGS or CAC. PCGS is a registered trademark of Collectors Universe, Inc. CAC is a trademark of Certified Acceptance Corporation.
There is never any charge to contact us. To reach a customer service representative, call, text or WhatsApp (+1) 855-472-3310 or use this form.
