OLD PHILIPPINE PISO COIN

Features
Issuer: Philippines
Period: Republic (1946-date)
Type: Standard circulation coin
Years: 1983-1990
Value: 1 Peso (1 piso) (1 PHP)
Currency: Piso (1967-date)
Composition: Copper-nickel
Weight: 9.5 g
Diameter: 29 mm
Thickness: 1.9 mm
Shape: Round
Technique: Milled
Orientation: Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized: 2 January 1998
Number: N# 2448
References: KM# 243.1, Schön# 84
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Flora and Fauna series was introduced in 1983 which included ₱2 coins.
This series used the Optima typeface. ₱5 coins were reintroduced in 1991, and
reduced-size 25-sentimo, 50-sentimo, ₱1 and ₱2 coins were distributed starting
Dec 1992. Production of 50-sentimo and ₱2 coins ceased in 1995. The series
was demonetized on Jan. 2, 1998.
1983 brought about another change in Philippine coins. The “Ang Bagong
Lipunan” Series was replaced by the Flora and Fauna Series. This coin series
features flora and fauna that are mostly endemic to the Philippines and other
tropical regions.
The change in coinage was to remove the “Ang Bagong Lipunan” motto, the
slogan of President Marcos who was, by that time, despised by most Pinoys
because of Martial Law and the widespread corruption in the government.
The metals used in each coin was also changed due to inflation. A new
denomination, the 2 Piso, was also introduced in this series.
As a growing boy, the coins of this series are the ones I have come to know as
these
OBVERSE
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, popularly known as José Rizal
(1861–1896), was a Filipino nationalist and polymath during the tail end of the
Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. An ophthalmologist by profession,
Rizal became a writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement
which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain.

He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion
after an anti-colonial revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke out. Though
he was not actively involved in its planning or conduct, he ultimately approved of
its goals which eventually led to Philippine independence.
REVERSE
The tamaraw or Mindoro dwarf buffalo (Bubalus mindorensis) is a small hoofed
mammal belonging to the family Bovidae. It is endemic to the island of Mindoro in
the Philippines, and is the only endemic Philippine bovine. The tamaraw was
originally found all over Mindoro, from sea level up to the mountains (2000
meters above sea level), but because of human habitation, hunting, and logging,
it is now restricted to only a few remote grassy plains and is now an endangered
species.
I have read that coins minted in 1989 and 1990 feature smaller legends and
design elements. Comparing it to other coins from other years, the difference is
very subtle. One needs to really look at the coins very closely to even see the
difference.
This particular coin I got from a bag full of coins. It’s the best one I have for the
minting year of 1983. It’s not very difficult to get one of these. Coin dealers sell
them for a bargain price. Sometimes you can even get them for free.