Interesting coins can come from all over the world, and one of the most unique coins comes to us from the Philippines. Surprisingly, the 1944 Wartime Victory Coin is stamped with designations for both the Philippines and the United States. However, this isn’t as surprising as you might think when you look at what was going on in the world during that period in history. Here’s what you need to know.
A Bit of History
After the Treaty of Paris in 1898, ownership of the Philippines was transferred from Spain to the United States. Later, in 1935, the country became a Commonwealth, providing provisions for the island nation to become independent after 10 years of self-management under the guidance of the U.S. However, in World War II, the Japanese invaded the Philippines, wresting control from the Allied powers.
During this time, the Japanese confiscated any Philippine coins they could track down for use in the war efforts, leaving the residents using paper currency instead. Although some people were able to stash away a few coins, most from this era were melted down to create weapons and other wartime essentials. After the end of the war and in advance of the liberation of the Philippines, the U.S. produced millions of new coins to replace the ones that were lost, calling these new coins the Wartime Victory Coins.
About the Coin
Valued at five Centavos at the time, the front of the Wartime Victory Coin bears a likeness of a young Filipino man holding a hammer while sitting at an anvil. In the background, you can see smoke pouring forth from the Mayon volcano. The reverse side of the coin is stamped with an eagle above a shield bearing a banner with the inscription, “COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES.” Around the edges, it says “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” as well as the year.
The coins also include marks designating the Mint at which they were produced. S denotes the San Francisco Mint, while M refers to the Manila Mint. The Philadelphia Mint produced more than 21 million Wartime Victory Coins, but these do not have any Mint Mark. A complete collection should include one coin from each Mint, so be sure to check the markers.
Learn More about the Wartime Victory Coin
The Wartime Victory Coin is a fascinating addition to any coin collection. If you are interested in learning more about this or any other collectible coin, we welcome you to visit us at Roswell Gold, Silver & Coin. Our friendly associates are always happy to answer your questions about specific coins or coin collecting in general. We can help you evaluate the various coins you are considering purchasing so that you can decide which is best for your collection. Come on by today to get started!