Philippine Coins: 1983 50 Sentimo Flora and Fauna Series

1983 brought about another change in Philippine coins. The “Ang Bagong Lipunan” Series was replaced by the Flora and Fauna Series. This coin series features flora and fauna that are mostly endemic to the Philippines and other tropical regions.

The change in coinage was to remove the “Ang Bagong Lipunan” motto, the slogan of President Marcos who was, by that time, despised by most Pinoys because of Martial Law and the widespread corruption in the government.

The metals used in each coin was also changed due to inflation. A new denomination, the 2 Piso, was also introduced in this series.

As a growing boy, the coins of this series are the ones I have come to know as these were the ones used for trade during my childhood.

This post features the 50 Sentimo coin.

1983 50 SENTIMO
OBVERSE

“REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS”
“MARCELO H. DEL PILAR“
“1983”

1983 50 SENTIMO
REVERSE

“50 SENTIMO”
“PITHECOPHAGA JEFFERYI“

Weight: 6 g
Diameter: 25 mm
Thickness: 1.62 mm
Metal: Copper-Nickel

The reverse features one of the most powerful eagles in the world endemic only to the Philippines. Also known as the monkey-eating eagle, it became the national bird of the Philippines in 1995. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss. Captive breeding has had some success in propagating the species. There are many organizations that protect this rare bird. The Philippine Eagle Foundation in Davao City is one of them. Killing this bird is punishable under Philippine law with a 12-year jail sentence and fines.

The obverse features Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaitan. A well-known Filipino journalist better known by his pen name “Plaridel”. 

Trivia:
The first batch of these coins had an error – a misspelled scientific name on the reverse that read, “PITHECOBHAGA JEFFERYI” instead of “PITHECOPHAGA JEFFERYI”. For more details on this error coin, click here.

The coin featured here has the correct scientific name of the Philippine eagle. This is not a rare coin. One can easily obtain one from a coin shop at a relatively cheap price.

Enjoy!

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~ by MAV on October 29, 2014.