On One side there is a coat of arms/emblem in the center which contains 3 stars across the top, a sun burst in the center, a bird w/outstretched wings in left corner and in the right corner is what looks like a lion on its hind legs. The words 'Republika ng Pilipinas' are written above this emblem and again in a ribbon like banner in very fine print underneath the emblem. Lastly, the Year '1970' is printed across the bottom.
On the Other side: A profile view of a man's head is noted in the center. To the right of him, the name 'Francisco Baltasar' is written in fine print. Below this name there's a large '10'. Lastly, across the top, above the bust, the words 'Sampung Sentimos' are printed all in caps.
It is the size of a dime. The color is like that of an old brown/darkened penny.
I've searched multiple sites from the web Search, and searched in 'all categories' on 'worldwide' Ebay. So far I found similar coins (a silver one, wrong color) but no drk brown ones w/the yr 1970.
2007-03-12 23:50:18 · 3 answers · asked by Lucia Sugarbair 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Hmmm...well, you've got a Philippines "dime." I couldn't find anything unusual about your particular coin. The denomination, picture stamps on both sides, and year are nothing special. What I'm curious about is why it's discolored so badly. Does it look like the coin in the 1st link below? (That's a 1972 coin, but brown like you what you described.)
The 1970 "sampung sentimos" is made of copper, nickel and zinc. Zinc and copper mixed can cause the metal alloy to oxidize and take on a dirty reddish brown color, much like what happens when metal rusts. I think if you just wash the coin in a copper cleaner it should take care of the color issue and restore your coin to its natural "silver" color.
The 2nd link below shows Philippines coins of numerous denominations and years. Both the 1970 and 1972 coins are made up of the same metal mixture. So it just sounds to me like you're dealing with oxidization.
The 3rd link below is a place where you can ask specific questions about coins. Maybe you can get a better answer from whomever runs the site.
Good luck to you!
2007-03-13 00:25:54 · answer #1 · answered by Jen 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I, too, found this coin in a nickel-copper composition. I wonder if your coin is simply badly tarnished. I have polished some coins that I was sure had to be made of copper but turned out to have a silver look.
Either way, your coin in from the Philippines. Their current currency is made up of sentimos and pisos. Your coin is 10 sentimos (10 cents.) The coat of arms emblem is a common mark of identification on many Filippino coins. It has no value unless it's uncirculated, but even then it would be worth $0.35.
2007-03-13 11:04:24 · answer #2 · answered by thezaylady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have KM# 198 a 10 Sentimos from the Philippines. It's value in uncirculated is 10 cents. The coin is actually copper/nickel and turned brown, this could have been caused by a number of reason. It is not uncommon to find brown American quarters. The coin could have been in a fire or buried in the grown, or someone could have put chemicals on it. Either way it is a damaged coin. This series of coins were issued from 1967-1974.
2007-03-13 11:11:02 · answer #3 · answered by Taiping 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋