USPI-Proofs Complete
Private
Updated:
5/8/2025
Views: 2,287
The seven coin Philippine proof sets were produced at the Philadelphia mint from 1903 through 1908 (excluding 1907), and were sold to the general public for $2.00 per set. Exactly 14 proof dies were prepared for use in each year proof coins were struck except for 1904 as noted below.
At the time these sets were produced, there was no protective packaging. Each coin was individually wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a plain paper coin envelope. As a result, many proof coins exhibit micro thin hairline scratches as well as heavy toning. When combined with very low mintages and low initial sales to the public, it's easy to see why fully gem proof coins are very rare.
Set Descriptions by Year
----------------------------------
1903 - Mintage: 2,558. These sets were struck on order to satisfy collector demand. All coins in this set were also produced as business strikes at the Philadelphia mint.
1904 - Mintage: 1,355. These sets were struck on order to satisfy collector demand. Half centavos, centavos, and 5 centavo coins were also produce by the Philadelphia mint as business strikes for general circulation.
In addition to the 1,355 regular proof sets, another 10,000 uncirculated sets were ordered by the well known numismatist Farran Zerbe to be sold at the Philippine Exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis in1904. Supply far exceeded demand for these uncirculated sets, and only 3,254 were sold at the exposition. The remaining 6,746 sets were shipped to the Philippines where another 500 were sold by the Treasury. The 6,246 unsold sets were ultimately released into general circulation. The coins in these additional "non-proof" sets are generally well struck and some even display a proof-like appearance. It is still relatively easy to differentiate between proof and non-proof coins for 1904 as the proof coins were struck twice and display more pronounced devices. The fingers of the right hand of the male figure and the hair and toes of the female figure are the best indicators.
There is one other anomaly that differentiates the 1904 proof sets from the rest. the 1904/4 Proof Peso is the only known proof variety. This RPD variety is easy to identify even with the naked eye. The coin in this set is a good example. It is quite likely that 4/4 variety was struck first, and a new die was created when the die doubling was discovered. The 1904 five centavos also exhibits die doubling on the "0" in the date. It is much more subtle than the Peso and went undiscovered at the time so all 1904 proof five centavo coins exhibit this doubling. Unlike the peso, no additional Allen number was needed for the 1904 proof five centavo coin.
1905 - Mintage: 471. As in 1903 and 1904, these sets were also struck on order to satisfy collector demand. Obviously the novelty had worn off, and collector interest had declined so significantly that only 471 sets were ordered. By the end of 1905, all sets produced had been acquired by collectors and none remained for future purchase from the mint. Only the one centavo coin was also produced as a business strike by the Philadelphia mint. All other coins in this set are proof only issues, making them the rarest in the entire series (excluding varieties).
1906 - Mintage: 500 Unlike the three previous years, the 1906 proof sets were not made to order. Philippine Governor-General Henry C. Idle authorized 500 sets to be struck to satisfy the small collector demand for these sets. These sets were offered for sale by the Bureau of Insular Affairs and at the Philippine Mint into the late1930s'. Other than the 1906S Peso, no coins were produced for general circulation in 1906, thus making these coins the rarest of all by year.
1908 - Mintage: 500 No centavos, five centavos, or proof sets were produced in 1907 due to the high demand for new reduced size and weight silver coinage in 1907. As in 1906, the 1908 proof sets were not made to order. 500 sets were authorized to be struck to satisfy whatever numismatic interest might exist for these sets. The 1908 sets were also available for purchase from the Bureau of Insular Affairs and at the Philippine Mint into the late 1930's. Due to the poor sales of proof sets in 1905, 1906, and 1908, future proof coinage was discontinued. The 10 centavos, 20 centavos, 50 centavos and peso are unique is this set since they are all reduced in size and weight from those in all of the earlier sets. None of the coins in this set were produced as business strikes by the Philadelphia mint. It is interesting to note that the date on the 1908 proof centavo is noticeably larger and of a different style than that found on the 1908S production strikes.
References:
• "U.S./Philippine Coins" by Lyman L. Allen 7th Edition 2012 updated and edited by Tom Culhane, Union NJ, 2012
• "U.S./Philippine Coins" by Lyman L. Allen 6th Edition 2008-2009 published by Lyman Allen Rare Coins Virginia City, NV 2007
• "United States Territorial Coinage for the Philippine Islands" by Neil Shafer, Whitman Publishing Company Racine, Wisconsin, 1961
Rev 1/20/2021
Read more...
USPI-Proofs Complete
By coin928
Owner Comments:
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.
