Philippine half-centavo coin
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The Philippine half-centavo coin (½¢), a denomination of Philippine currency, was issued when the Philippines was under US administration. It bears the names of both countries: Filipinas (the Spanish name of the Philippines) and the United States of America.[1]
Philippines | |
| Value | 0.005 Philippine peso |
|---|---|
| Mass | 2.5 g (0.080 troy oz) |
| Diameter | 17.5 mm |
| Edge | Plain |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Years of minting | 1904–1908 |
| Obverse | |
| |
| Design | Figure of a man seated beside an anvil holding a hammer and Mt. Mayon, year of minting |
| Design date | 1904 |
| Reverse | |
 | |
| Design | Seal of the United States of America |
| Design date | 1904 |
Filipino sculptor Melecio Figueroa was hired to design the coin. It features a man with a hammer and anvil, seating in front of Mayon Volcano.[2]
In 1903 and 1904, the US mint at Philadelphia struck bronze-minted half-centavo coins for circulation.[3] Eventually, the coin was withdrawn from circulation because it was rejected by Filipinos for its low value. After 1908, all remaining half centavos were melted.[4]