PCGS Recognizes 1944-S 50c U.S. Philippines Obverse of 1907-1921 Mule

United States Philippines coins have always been among the most popular series for both U.S. and world coin collectors. While some varieties were prominent enough to be discovered early, it was really the work of Lyman Allen that brought light to the diversity of U.S. Philippines varieties. PCGS has taken the lead on U.S. Philippines coins and now recognizes over 100 different varieties within the various U.S. Philippines series. The most recent variety that PCGS now recognizes is the 1944-S 50C Obverse of 1907-1921. There are four main differences to look for to determine if your coin has the Obverse of 1907-1921. Pictured below are both examples.

1944-S 50C Philippines PCGS MS67+.

1944-S 50C Philippines Obverse of 1907-1927 PCGS MS65.

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The coin pictured on the left is a normal 1944-S, on the right is the Obverse of 1907-1921. Can you spot the differences?

1944-S 50C Philippines Mule PCGS MS65.

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The four major differences shown by the arrows on the coin above are:

1. Mayon Volcano pictured on the obverse of the coin has relief details of the mountain from the base to the top. As you can see, the normal obverse has little to no detail in the body of the volcano.
   1944-S 50C Normal Obverse closeup.

   1944-S 50C Mule Obverse of 1907-1921 closeup.

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2. At Arrow 2 you will notice a plume of smoke coming from the top of the volcano. As you can tell, the smoke coming out of the Obverse of 1907-1921 has a lack of detail in the plume but is much more rounded compared to the normal obverse. The plume on the normal obverse also creates a wave at the bottom left of the O in CENTAVOS.
3. The denticles on the mule obverse also appear slightly larger.
4. Hair detail is clearly visible and goes behind and through the C of CENTAVOS. There is slight weakness to the lower left of the C of CENTAVOS, but you can still make out almost all the lines in the hair.
   1944-S 50C normal hair detail on obverse.

   1944-S 50C obverse of 1907-1921 hair detail.

   Click images to enlarge.

PCGS is the leader in variety attribution on both United States and world coinage. We continue to add and recognize significant varieties, as well as those that have become market acceptable.