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PhilCoinsCatalog: Isang Online Catalog ng Barya ng Pilipinas

Indo-Greek Kushan Empire – Vasudeva I Gold Coin Dinar (Ø2.2cm, 8 grams): Guide for Collectors, Historians, and Treasure Hunters #goldcoins #collectablescoins

By Lesme Gutierrez Cartabon Jr.
                                                                                                                                                                           Introduction Among the ancient gold coins of South and Central Asia, few pieces capture the imagination quite like the Kushan Empire Gold Dinar of Vasudeva I . Struck around c. 191–232 CE , this stunning 8-gram gold coin represents a powerful era of trade, cultural exchange, military prestige, and religious transformation. With a diameter of about 2.2 cm , the coin showcases a refined combinatio...
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**The 1982 Philippines Bataan-Corregidor 50 Piso Silver Coin: A Commemorative Tribute to WWII Heroism and Sacrifice** #silver #collectablscoin

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By Lesme Gutierrez Cartabon Jr.

                                   


                                                      Introduction: What is the 1982 50 Piso Bataan-Corregidor Coin?

The 1982 50 Piso Bataan-Corregidor coin is a commemorative coin — not a regular circulating coin for everyday transactions. It was issued to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the fall of Bataan and Corregidor to the Japanese forces in 1942 during World War II. (en.numista.com)

This is not an ordinary circulating coin; it was minted as a silver coin with a face value of 50 Piso but holds added historical and commemorative value because of its theme. (en.numista.com)

Historical Context: Why Bataan and Corregidor?

To understand why the Bataan-Corregidor coin was made, it's important to look back at the history of the Philippines during World War II:

  • In December 1941, Japan attacked the Philippines, following its attack on Pearl Harbor. This included the invasion of Bataan and later Corregidor — both were significant military locations and symbols of the resistance by Filipino and American forces.

  • In April 1942, the Filipino-American forces on Bataan were defeated and surrendered; Corregidor fell in May 1942, marking a major tragedy and sacrifice for the nation.

  • As a result, “Bataan-Corregidor” became a symbol of heroism, sacrifice, and the struggle of the Filipino and American soldiers against the Japanese occupation.

For the 40th anniversary of the fall (1942 → 1982), the government and relevant institutions decided to issue a commemorative coin to remember this significant moment in Philippine history. Thus, the 1982 50 Piso Bataan-Corregidor coin was born. (en.numista.com)

This is also one of the last coins produced for the Philippines by the Franklin Mint in the United States, the mint facility that produced this coin. (coinvarieties.com)

Technical Details: Composition, Design, Mint, and More

Here are the technical details of the coin based on numismatic catalogs and sources:

AttributeDetails
Denomination (Face Value)50 Piso (en.numista.com)
PurposeCommemorative (40th Anniversary of Bataan-Corregidor) (en.numista.com)
Year of Minting1982 (en.numista.com)
Mint / ManufacturerFranklin Mint (USA) — Marked as “FM” (en.numista.com)
CompositionSilver .925 fine (sterling silver) (pt.numista.com)
Weight27.4 grams (en.numista.com)
Diameter40 mm (en.numista.com)
Thickness / EdgeThickness ~ 2.7 mm, reeded edge (en.numista.com)
Strike Type / EditionsIncludes “uncirculated / business strike” and “proof / commemorative proof” editions. Recorded mintage: 13,000 uncirculated; 4,626 proof. (coinvarieties.com)
Obverse (front) DesignCoat of Arms of the Philippines with the inscription “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS ★ 50 PISO ★ ISANG BANSA ISANG DIWA FM” (en.numista.com)
Reverse (back) DesignSide-by-side busts of an American and Filipino soldier, facing left; inscription “1942‑1982 BATAAN‑CORREGIDOR” (en.numista.com)

It’s important to note that while the face value is 50 Piso, this coin was not designed for regular circulation as payment but rather as a commemorative coin, typically bought by collectors or preserved as a historical memento. (en.numista.com)

Why a "Silver Sealed / Commemorative Coin"? The Nature of Silver Coins

It’s common for many countries to issue commemorative or non-circulating coins in silver or other precious metals — to mark significant dates, anniversaries, visits, or events. In the Philippines, there were previous commemorative coins (e.g., in 1981 for the visit of Pope John Paul II). (papercoinage.weebly.com)

For the 1982 Bataan-Corregidor 50 Piso coin, silver (.925 fine) was used for the commemorative issue — this provides intrinsic value (from the metal) and added historical and collector value because of its limited mintage and theme. (en.numista.com)

Furthermore, the coin was minted by Franklin Mint in the United States, not by the local mint in the Philippines. (coinvarieties.com) This means it was released as a special edition aimed at the international or collector market, not for everyday transactions in the Philippines.

Production and Release History: What Do “1982FM (U)” and “1982FM (P)” Mean?

The terms “1982FM (U)” and “1982FM (P)” refer to the two types of strikes:

  • (U) — uncirculated / business-strike (more pieces, 13,000 according to records) (coinvarieties.com)

  • (P) — proof / commemorative proof (more for collectors, more limited, 4,626 pieces) (coinvarieties.com)

Typically, the proof version is more valuable than the uncirculated version, especially if it's in excellent condition (proof, gem, ultra cameo, etc.). There are coin-grading services (such as PCGS, NGC) that certify the condition of the coin: e.g., “PR 68 DCAM,” “PF 69 UCAM,” etc. (pcgs.com)

An auction record shows that a 1982 50 Piso Silver Proof Crown (Bataan-Corregidor) graded PR69 sold for US $255.00. (pcgs.com) But other listings show prices of $379.99. (ebay.com)

Current Status: Legal Tender, Demonetization, and Collector Value

Legal Tender / Demonetization Status

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