Expert: Dan Moore - 11/14/2009

Question
God evening Dan, Thank you for your time. I have come across a dime size (silver in look but not sure) coin dating 1944. On the obverse is the date and starting from left low wrapping around the top of the coin is "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". The center of the coin has what appears to be a badge or shield under an eagle with a scroll under the shield with writing to small to read. The date is directly below the shield and scroll. Top of the shield has 3 stars. The back of the coin has a man sitting down facing right with a hammer in hs right hand with the head of the hammer hanging down and to the left. The image of what appears to be a volcano is in the background to his right. The wording on the top of the coin is: "FIVE CENTAVOS". The bottom says "FILIPINAS".

What is this coin and how much is it worth. I would grade it about MS63 or higher. Thanks.

Answer
Todd,

The U.S. Mint produced the coinage for the then Commonwealth of the Philippines, therefore both country's names are on the coins.  There were over 21 million of these copper-nickel-zinc alloy coins minted that year, so they are not rare.  MS-63 condition lists for about $2.00

Dan