1902 Half Centavo?

Sluf · New Member

Hi to all... short time - first time.

The attached link is to a scan of a coin I found when I was about 10. Unfortunately, I had no idea on how to care or clean coins to a point to reveal anything about them. Through my continous rubbing, the date never really appeared... but what I do see is 1902. All records show this series ran fro 1903 to 1907.

Is this an optical illusion? Is there a chance the series ran a year earlier? I have also linked to a 1903 at nearly the same angle for comparison.

Any help is appreciated.

My Half Centavo

Reference Coin

Sluf

eagames · Expert Member

Hi Sluf,

Good to see a new user on here Smile

From what shows in the pic I think it might be a 1903.

You might soak it in some olive oil and some more detail might show.

Like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1903-Half-Centavo-Phillipine-US-Coinage-79_W0QQitemZ140114483983QQihZ004QQcategoryZ4182QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Dick · Expert Member

Sluf, Welcome to the forum!
About your scan; It is very difficult to determine anything from it, especially, while in the flip. I didn't find the coin in the "red book", so Can't identify at this moment. What does the "other side" show?
Dick

eagames · Expert Member

Hey Dick,

Look at the ebay link, it shows both sides.

It's from the Phillipines.

coop · Expert Member

I would use olive oil. It is vegetable. I would use mineral oil. It is closer to the coins lubrication. Olive oil can rot. Looks like residue from a cleaning. I would use anything more abrasive on it as it would wear it down even more. Looks like a 1903 to me. The details are pretty much gone in that area. I like the Phillipine coins.. Very nice look to them. More of a classic look compared to the dead Presidents collection the US are using today.

Welcome aboard Sluf. It is nice to see another face in the crowd here. Wink

Dick · Expert Member

Ed, I thought it might be, but the ones I have are a lot newer.I knew it wasn't Mexican, not woth the USA on it It was also before the Republic of Mexico became the United States of Mexico, (in 1909). thanks for the info. "Thanks for the Memory"!
Dick