Description

US Philippine WW2 Salvaged Coins

This coin was dumped in Manila Bay during the war to avoid the capture of the coming Japanese forces in Manila. Truly a unique and historical piece.

During the war sometime between 12 March 1942 when MacArthur left Corregidor and 6 May when 16,000 American and Filipino troops surrendered Corregidor, the thousands of pounds of silver Pesos and minor coins were sent to the depths of Manila Bay.

Packed in heavy wooden boxes and transported by boats and barges, the silver treasure was dumped overboard near the mouth of Manila Bay in a wide area approximately two-and-a-half miles north of the island. The location, at the junction where the China Sea and the bay convene, is slightly more than 100 feet deep. Some accounts, never confirmed by government sources, and despite MacArthur's assurances to Quezon, say that a goodly number of gold bullion bars were also part of what went overboard. The gold was reportedly overlooked or left behind when the bulk of the gold was taken out by submarine.

The Japanese heard about the effort and during the years they occupied the Philippines are said to have recovered roughly 4-million coins using their own divers and prisoners of war.

SPECIFICATIONS

Country: Philippines (U.S. Administration)

Denomination: One Peso

Year / Mint mark: 1907-S (struck at San Francisco Mint, U.S.A.)

Catalog Number: KM# 172

Size: 35 mm in diameter

Weight (actual): 20 grams

Composition: 80% Silver

Obverse Description Female standing beside hammer and anvil

Reverse Description Eagle above stars and striped shield