QUERY: FRANKLIN MINT PHILIPPINE ISSUES

I have been collecting various foreign coins, and in particular Philippine coins, including the various Franklin Mint Coins of the Realm series coins. I have managed to glean some bits from the Krause catalogs (both World Coins and Franklin Mint) as well as from purchases made (mostly through eBay) regarding the 1975-1982 period in which the Franklin Mint provided all the proof issues of Philippine coinage. I have a few questions, all pertaining to their Philippine issues:

1) I note that each coin was struck in three varieties in 1975-1977 (proof (P), matte (M), and brilliant uncirculated (U)), and thereafter apparently only in proof and brilliant uncirculated. Why did the matte version cease after 1977?

2) In 1974, the proof set for the Philippines was struck by the US Mint in San Francisco; what made someone at the Philippines decide to go with the Franklin Mint for their proof issues starting 1975?

3) Large mintages are listed for the matte coins of 1975-1977 and brilliant uncirculated coins of 1978-1981, but these coins are only most rarely seen for sale, in contrast to the much more commonly available (though smaller mintage) proofs. Were non-purchased coins of these types melted at the mint, dumped into circulation, gradually sold off, or sold and then mostly melted down by others?

4) Krause catalog lists proof Franklin Mint coins for 1982, but provides no mintages other than for the 50 Piso. How many of the proof sets were made?

5) Krause catalog does not list any brilliant uncirculated coins for 1982 except for the 50 Piso, however in recent months I have found what likely could be a (U) version of the 5 Sentimo (there is some slight wear, so it could be some strange sort of damaged proof) and what is unassailably a (U) version of the 5 Piso. So there must have been some of these made. But how many?

6) The proof coins were contained in hard transparent plastic containers, and the brilliant uncirculated coins in some sort of softer plastic container, but in what form did the matte coins get sold?

7) I have conjectured with (I think)) some justification that the reason there is no Franklin Mint 50 Piso coin for 1980 is that it was supposed to be for the visit of John Paul II to the Philippines, and which was delayed, so the coin was instead dated 1981 and included in the 1981 offerings. The gold counterpart minted in Germany exists for both years. But why is the 1982 Marcos/Reagan 25 Piso commemorative not struck by the Franklin Mint? And who struck it?

8) In 1983, the proof set for the Philippines was struck by the British Royal Mint in Wales, but in the same (U) and (P) versions as had been struck by the Franklin Mint up until that point; what made someone at the Philippines decide to go with another mint starting 1983?

9) After 1982, the Franklin Mint made the 1986 Aquino/Reagan 25 Piso commemorative in silver and a 2500 Piso coin (sans their distinctive "f" mintmark) in gold commemorating the same. Were any other Philippine coins struck by the Franklin Mint after 1982?

Wayne Homren, Editor

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