THE PHILIPPINE CURRENCY

SECURITY FEATURES OF BANKNOTES

MAGNETIC CHARCTERISTICS OF BXP CIRCULATION COINS
HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE MONEY
 DEMONITIZED BANK NOTES
 English Series (1949-1974)
When the American liberation forces arrived in 1944, they brought the currency called
the Victory Series No. 66. With the creation of the Central Bank of the Philippines in
1949, came the issuance of the English Series. They were in denominations 1, 2, 5, 10,
20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 pesos; all bearing portraits of Filipino heroes on the obverse,
vignettes in Philippine history on the reverse, and worded in English language. On the
other hand, all denominations of the Victory Series No. 66 were overprinted with
“Central Bank of the Philippines” on the reverse side, and remained legal tender until
July 30, 1964.
The two highest denominations of the English Series were later withdrawn from
circulation on December 31, 1957, pursuant to R.A. No. 1516. Only notes of 1 up to
50 pesos continued to be printed until 1961.
Small-denomination notes were also printed from 1951 through 1957 (5-, 10-, 20- and
50-centavos) to replace the US-Filipinas metallic coins. In 1955, the Half-Peso note of
bigger dimensions also went into circulation. On January 5, 1970, these small notes
ceased to be legal tender. Pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 378, all banknotes of
the English Series were considered demonetized after February 28, 1974.
Pilipino Series (1969-1974)
To complete the Filipinization of Philippine currency, the
Central Bank started to issue the series of multi-colored
Central Bank notes worded in Pilipino and similarly bearing
the portraits of Filipino heroes on the reverse, and vignettes
in Philippine history on the reverse toward mid-1969. This
series called Pilipino series came in denominations 1, 5, 10,
20, 50 and 100. The first five notes have been widely
circulated while the issuance of the 100-piso bills was
limited. Together with the English Series, this Pilipino Series
was considered demonetized after February 28, 1974
pursuant to PD 378.
Ang Bagong Lipunan Series (1973-1993)
The Ang Bagong Lipunan (ABL) series was issued by the Central Bank
of the Philippines in line with Presidential Decree No. 168 dated
April 2, 1973. The Ang Bagong Lipunan (literally means New
Society) legend overprinted on the banknotes was meant to
symbolize then President Marcos’ New Society which marked the
era of reforms on social, economic and political structure of the
government. This legend was the main difference in the design
between ABL and Pilipino series. The lowest denomination in the
ABL series was 2-piso and the highest was 100-piso. The 2-piso
denomination carried the design elements of the 1-piso Pilipino
series. The ABL banknote series was considered demonetized after
February 2, 1996.
New Design Series (NDS) (1985-2017)
1981 - the Central Bank started to print and mint an entirely new
series of Philippine currency notes and coins which are
contemporary and forward looking, adopting the latest trend of
anti-counterfeiting features.
June 12, 1985- he BSP issued the New Design Series starting with
the 5-piso banknote with the face of Emilio Aguinaldo
1986 - the 500-piso banknote with the face of Benigno Aquino, Jr.
was introduced
1991 - the BSP issued for the first time a 1000-piso banknote,
containing on the obverse side the composite portraits of Jose
Abad Santos, Josefa Llanes Escoda and Vicente Lim.
1997- the revised 10-piso banknote, with portraits of Apolinario Mabini
and Andres Bonifacio on the obverse side, was issued.
1998- the 100,000-piso Centennial banknote, measuring 8.5"x14“Along
with this was the launching of the 2000-piso Centennial Note,
measuring 216 mm x 133 mm and bearing the signature of President
Joseph E. Estrada, on December 1, 1998 was issued.
1999- the names of the signatories on the bills were added starting with
banknotes featuring the signature of President Joseph Estrada.
2001- The second major political upheaval called EDSA II in 2001 was
depicted on the reverse side of the 200-piso showing Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo being sworn into office at the EDSA Shrine. She is the first
president whose image has been included in a banknote while in office.
On the obverse side of the banknote is the portrait of his father,
Diosdado Macapagal. The 200-piso NDS which was issued in 2002, was
the last denomination to be added in the series.
DEMONITIZED COIN SERIES
English Series (1958-1979)
1958- centavo notes were discontinued and a new, entirely base
metal coinage was introduced
Pilipino Series (1967 –1974)
Ang Bagong Lipunan (1975 -1982)
 In 1975, the "Ang Bagong Lipunan" series was introduced with
different designs, specifications and denominational mix from the
Pilipino series. Aluminum replaced bronze and cupro-nickel
replaced nickel-brass coins. The 5-piso coin was introduced while
the 50-sentimo coin was deleted in the series. The entire series of
ABL coins were also demonetized on January 2, 1998.
Flora and Fauna Series (1983 –1991)
 The Flora and Fauna series was introduced in 1983 which
included 2-piso coins. The coins featured portraits of renowned
Filipino patriots and heroes on the obverse and rare species of
fauna, flora and marine life indigenous to the Philippines were
represented on the reverse.
 Improved Flora and Fauna Series (1991 –1994)
- The sizes of the coins were reduced in 1991 thus the Flora Fauna
Series was renamed Improved Flora and Fauna. Along with this
improvement is the introduction of 5-piso coin to replace the 5-
piso banknotes and save on the cost of printing considering that 5-
piso notes worn out easily. Eventually in 1994, the production of
50-sentimo and 2-piso coins were stopped.
Current Banknotes and Coins in Circulation

BSP Coin Series (1995 – Present)

In 1995, a new set of coins and notes was issued which carried
the logo of the new BSP: 5- and 1-piso and 25-, 10-, 5- and 1-
sentimo. On July 10, 2001, BSP issued the 10-piso coin for
general circulation to commemorate its 8th year anniversary. It
has the profiles of Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini in a
con-joint or in tandem manner on the obverse side. The reverse
side bears the seal of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas which is
consistent with the common reverse design of the other six
denominations. This has been an additional denomination to the
current coin circulation and a replacement for the 10-piso NDS
banknote.
New Generation Currency Series (2010-present)
- In 2009, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas announced that it
launched a massive redesign for current banknotes and coins to
further enhance security features and improve durability. The
new banknote design features famous Filipinos and iconic natural
wonders. Philippine national symbols will be depicted on coins.
The BSP started releasing the initial batch of new banknotes on
December 16, 2010.
New Generation Currency (NGC) Coin Series
On 26 March 2018, the BSP started the release of the full set of the
New Generation Currency (NGC) Coin Series comprised of the
10-Piso, 5-Piso, 1-Piso, 25-Sentimo, 5-Sentimo and the 1-Sentimo
into circulation.
The coins, which appear as "metallic silver", are made from durable
nickel-plated steel that possess very good wear and corrosion
resistance. The change in material addresses concerns on
discoloration predominantly observed for copper-based metals.
Ref. http://www.bsp.gov.ph/bspnotes/