Whitman Expo
1918-S U.S. Philippines, Mule 5 Centavos MS Allen-4.08b, FS-901 Values
Details
The reverse has a smaller date than normal, and a larger eagle and shield. In 1907 the diameters of Philippine silver coins were made smaller as a way to reduce bullion costs. The twenty-centavo piece was reduced from 23 mm to 20 mm, making its diameter very close to that of the five-centavo (20.5 mm). In 1918 a worker at the San Francisco Mint used a twenty-centavo reverse die, either by accident or as an expedient, for part of the year’s five-centavo production. (After a similar occurrence in 1928, the five-centavo diameter was reduced to 19 mm in 1930.) Collectors have known about this popular and very scarce “mule” (as a mismatching of dies is called) since 1922.
Reverse: An eagle is portrayed in the center atop an American shield with 13 stars. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is written around the periphery with the date at the bottom.
Basic Information
GSID:
25977
Coin Date:
1918-S
Denomination:
5c / 5 Centavos
Designation:
MS
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
2,780,000
Coinage Type:
U.S. Philippines Coinage
Coinage Years:
1903-1935
Composition:
Copper-nickel
Mint Mark:
S
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
U.S. Philippines, Mule
Variety 2:
Allen-4.08b, FS-901
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
5 gr
Weight:
0.176 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
20.5 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
