COLLECTING CURRENCY
Is This Philippines One Peso Note a Piece of History?
I became addicted to YouTube during the pandemic, and I’m willing to be I’m not alone. I can’t complain too much. I found some incredible artists whose music I would never have heard.
I also picked up a few bad habits, such as YouTube shorts. I can watch those videos for hours — and I have — usually before going to bed. Two hours later, there I am. Sigh.
I also watched people who scratch lottery tickets for a living. Can you imagine having tens of thousands of followers to watch you scratch a fucking lottery ticket? Add up all the views, and these people are paying for tickets courtesy of their followers — and a check from YouTube, of course.
In addition to coin roll hunting, I collect currency — paper money. In the past three years, I’ve collected foreign currency from France, Germany, and Iraq, to name a few.
But one of my most intriguing bills is a one peso note from the Philippines. Printed by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1944, the bills were the equivalent of a silver certificate of the United States, meaning the bills could be exchanged for silver coins — in this case, silver pesos.
The Victory note series 66 (in honor of the late Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon, who died at that age) was to be used when Gen. Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines as he promised on numerous occasions after arriving in Australia. When he came ashore in Leyte on October 20, 1944, he allegedly carried some notes in his pocket.
About two years ago, I purchased a one peso note on eBay. I paid about $15. I wasn’t concerned about value; I wanted to add the bill to my collection.
When it arrived, I noticed a hand-printed note on the bill’s obverse. It reads, “LEYTE-SAMAR-10–20–44.”
As noted above, that’s the day MacArthur returned to the Philippines.
About a year ago, I contacted a professor at (whose name escapes me) Worcester Polytechnic Institute and asked if they could date the ink for me. Unfortunately, I never heard from WPI, which is probably why I can’t recall the professor’s name.
I reached out to Harvard University, but they’re unable to help. So, as a last resort, I applied for tickets for the Antiques Roadshow, which is visiting Sturbridge, Mass this year.
I’ve included a list of the shows and entry periods. You can also follow this link.
Monday, January 9, 2023
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Sweepstakes, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Social Media Sweepstakes Entry, and Early Bird Tickets Contest — Entry Period begins
Thursday, February 9, 2023
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Social Media Sweepstakes ends — Deadline at 11:59 PM PT
Monday, March 13, 2023
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Ticket Sweepstakes & Early Bird Tickets Contest end — Deadline at 11:59 PM PT
Tuesday, MAY 2, 2023 — Baton Rouge, Louisiana Event
Tuesday, MAY 16, 2023 — Raleigh, North Carolina Event
Tuesday, JUNE 6, 2023 — Akron, Ohio Event
Tuesday, JUNE 13, 2023 — Sturbridge, Massachusetts Event
Tuesday, JULY 11, 2023 — Anchorage, Alaska Event
Do you have a family heirloom or find you’d like more information on? Then check out the link above. I did!
If you’ve read this far, thank you for stopping by. Lay 50 claps on me and comment if you would please. I will return the favor. Cheers!
I accept tips, which go directly to Dining for Hunger, a recognized 501(c)(3) organization that looks to end food insecurity. If you can spare a dollar or two, I’d be grateful.
More stories from Bruce Coulter.
