Coin Identifier
United States Administration of Philippines One Centavo — obverse
Obverse
United States Administration of Philippines One Centavo — reverse
Reverse
One Centavo

United States Administration of Philippines One Centavo

Philippines (under United States Sovereignty) · 1944

A bronze coin featuring a man with a hammer at an anvil on the obverse and the US-Philippine coat of arms on the reverse.

Country
Philippines (under United States Sovereignty)
Year
1944
Denomination
One Centavo
Metal
Bronze (95% copper, 5% zinc/tin)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Explore United States Administration of Philippines One Centavo in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

Overview

A bronze coin featuring a man with a hammer at an anvil on the obverse and the US-Philippine coat of arms on the reverse.

Historical significance

Issues in 1944 carry immense historical weight as they were minted in the United States while the Philippine islands were still under Japanese occupation during WWII, intended for use upon liberation.

Obverse (front)

A man seated beside an anvil holding a hammer, with Mt. Mayon in the background. Inscriptions: 'ONE CENTAVO' and 'FILIPINAS'. Designer: Melecio Figueroa.

Reverse (back)

US-Philippine Commonwealth coat of arms featuring an eagle atop a shield. Inscriptions: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', the date '1944', and the 'S' mint mark.

Estimated value

$1-$3 in Fine condition, $10-$25 in Mint State (MS-63), $100+ for high-grade Red gems.

What drives this coin's value

Luster (original red color), surface marks, and strike quality. 1944 is the most common year for this type.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine / About Uncirculated. The coin shows minor wear on the high points of the man's body and the eagle's breast, but retains sharp detail and significant original color.

Mintage & rarity

58,000,000 (Common, but difficult to find in original red uncirculated condition).

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Weight and diameter should match specifications; look for sharp details in the eagle's feathers and the man's muscular definition. Common counterfeits of rare dates exist, but 1944 is rarely faked due to high mintage.

Notable varieties & errors

Double die reverses and various minor planchet errors (clips or laminations) are known but rare.

Similar coins

1903-1936 One Centavo coins, which used the same design but had different alloy mixes or were minted in Manila (M mint mark or no mint mark).

Care & preservation

Store in PVC-free holders. Do not clean or scrub, as this removes the natural patina and significantly lowers numismatic value.