Philippine half-centavo coin
Philippines | |
| Value | 0.005 Philippine peso |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
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.
In 1903 and 1904, the US mint at Philadelphia struck bronze-minted half-centavo coins for circulation. Eventually, the coin was withdrawn from circulation because it was rejected by Filipinos for its low value.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.