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The History Of Philippine Money

Updated on March 01, 2022 02:29 pm
The History Of Philippine Money

Money, trade, and issues of sovereignty have been curiously intertwined. The history of Philippine money follows an interesting timeline - from the pre-Hispanic era to the Republic of the Philippines that we know today.

The Peso is the official currency of the Philippines, and Piso is its Filipino name. PHP is its ISO code. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippines' central bank is the issuer of the Philippine Peso. The peso is subdivided into 100 cents (sentimo).

A Brief History Of The Philippine Peso

The history of the Philippine Peso through the years can be divided into different periods based on the ruling power of the time. The evolution of the Philippine peso reflects the country's journey through colonization and independence.

Pre-Hispanic Era

Prior to the arrival of Spaniards in the Philippines in 1521, trade among the early Filipinos and traders from China and other neighboring lands was performed using the barter system. Cowry shells then were adopted as a medium of exchange due to the inconvenience of the barter system.

Piloncitos, which are small pieces of gold, became the first form of coinage. It had a flat base engraved with an inscription of the letters "MA" or "M" that resembles the Javanese script of the 11th century. It is believed that this inscription was used by the Chinese traders to identify the Philippines during the pre-Spanish era.

Spanish Occupation (1521-1897)

The Spanish introduced the coins to the Philippines. The cobs or macuquinas of colonial mints were the earliest coins that were brought in. These were minted in various Spanish countries around the world.

The Spanish dos mundos that were extensively circulated worldwide from 1732-1772 also reached the Philippines. The coin features twin crowned globes reflecting Spanish rule over the Old and the New World.



The shortage of fractional coins at the time led the Spanish government to create the barillas, crude bronze or bronze coins worth about one centavo in the Philippines. The Filipino term "barya", meaning "small change," had its origin in barrilla.

Coins from other Spanish colonies that reached the Philippines were counter-stamped to legally circulate in the country. Gold coins with the portrait of Queen Isabela were minted in Manila. Silver pesos with the profile of Alfonso XII were the last coins minted in Spain.

The first paper money in circulation was the pesos fuertes which were issued by the country's first bank, the El Banco Espanol Filipino de Isabel II.

Revolutionary Period (1898-1899)

The 1898 Declaration of Independence brought a short-lived revolutionary currency replacing the Spanish-Filipino Peso. The first Philippine president, General Emilio Aguinaldo, issued its own coins and paper currency under the Malolos Constitution.

Two types of two-centavo copper coins were introduced into the system. Revolutionary noted in denominations 1, 5, and 10 pesos were printed and hand-signed by Pedro Paterno, Mariano Limjap, and Telesforo Chuidian.

Revolutionary currency was withdrawn from circulation and declared illegal currency after the arrival of the Americans in 1898 and the eventual surrender of General Aguinaldo to the Americans.

American Occupation (1900-1941)

The United States took possession of the Philippines in 1901 and established a new unit of currency. The introduction of modern banking, credit systems, and currency made the Philippines one of the most prosperous countries in East Asia.

The country's monetary system was based on the gold standard, and the Philippine peso was pegged to the American dollar exactly half of a US dollar or 2 pesos per USD in 1903 until the country became independent in 1946.

The coins issued bore the designs of Filipino engraver and artist, Melecio Figueroa. Coins in the denomination of one-half centavo to 1 peso were minted. 

El Banco Espanol Filipino was renamed to Bank of the Philippine Islands in 1912. After which, all the notes and coins issued up to 1933 were changed from Spanish to English. The treasury certificates replaced the silver certificates series, and a one-peso note was added beginning May 1918.

The Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)

World War II caused severe disturbances to the Philippine monetary system. During the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines, two kinds of notes were issued. These war notes were in big denominations and had no backup reserves. The Filipinos dubbed it "Mickey Mouse" amidst the worst inflation in the history of the Philippines.

On the other hand, provinces and municipalities issued their own guerrilla notes or resistance currencies which were in low denominations. Most of these were sanctioned by the Philippine government-in-exile to show resistance against the Japanese occupation.

The Philippine Republic

The establishment of the Central Bank of the Philippines in 1949 led to the reintroduction of a formal Filipino currency. The first currencies issued were the English series of banknotes and later in the late 1960s, became more filipinized with the adoption of the Filipino language in the currency and the images of national heroes. A series of notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos was launched in 1969.

In 1973, the Ang Bagong Lipunan (ABL) series notes were circulated. The lowest denomination was the 2 peso, and the highest denomination was the 100 peso.

The ABL series was followed by the New Design Series (NDS). The new 500 pesos was launched in 1987. The BSP issued the first 1,000 peso notes in 1991 and 200 peso notes in 2002. It was later retitled as the BSP series and bore the new seal of the BSP.

In 2009, the BSP launched a massive redesign for the current notes and coins to enhance security and increase longevity. The notes displayed popular Filipinos and iconic natural wonders.

In December 2010, BSP released the New Generation Currency (NGC) Series. The full set of NGC coin series consisting of 1 sentimo, 5-sentimo, 25 sentimo, and the 1-piso, 5 piso, and 10 piso coins were released in March 2018.

The Philippine Peso Today

Banknotes

Currently, banknotes of denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 pesos are in circulation. All notes are of vibrant colors and have images of famous Filipinos and events in Philippine history as well as the country's endemic fauna and flora and natural riches. The bills' size does not vary but is distinctly different in colors.

In February 2016, the BSP distributed a new 100-peso note, which came with a better purple or purple hue. The 100 peso of the NGC series is still in circulation. The NDS in circulation since 1985 was demonetized in 2017.

On December 11, 2019, the BSP announced that the 20 peso note would be converted into a coin. 

Coins

Currently, coins of 1,5,10 and 25 cents and 1, 5, 10, and 20 pesos are in use. These coins are from the previous BSP coin series and the newly released NGC coin series.

The BSP declared a redesign of the 5-peso coin of the NGC series. The new design requires the inclusion of bumps on both sides of the coin.

Errors In Coins And Banknotes

100- Piso Bill Error Of 2005

The 100-Piso bill became a subject of controversy after the bill was printed with the then President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was misspelled. The bills incorrectly spelled the President's name as "Gloria Macapagal-Arrovo'' instead of the correct "Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo." 2 million of the erroneous notes were already in circulation as legal tenders prompting a public apology from the BSP.

Many collectors have fueled a secondary market for coins and note with errors using platforms like eBay, where buyers and sellers can bid and auction. Bills with "Gloria Macapagal-Arrovo" became a much sought-after collectors' item.

Philippine Peso Was As Good As An Emirati Dirham In 2006

By August 2006, it became publicly known that the Philippine 1 peso coin is equal in size and weight to a UAE 1 dirham coin. This led to fraud in places that accepted Dirham coins, such as vending machines and parking tickets.

Similar frauds have also occurred in the United States, as the 1 peso coin is roughly the same size as the USD 25 cents coin. Although digital parking meters were not affected, most vending machines will still likely accept it as a quarter.

In the most recent case, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's middle name was misspelled as "Boa" in the 1,000 Peso banknotes released in 2010. However, the BSP denied that the PHP 1,000 bills with the incorrect surname of the president are not recognized as legal tender by the BSP and did not come from its printing facility in Quezon City.

Fake or counterfeit notes are another problem that all governments and central banks need to watch closely. The BSP runs a reward scheme to encourage the public to report any information on currency counterfeiting, defacement/mutilation of Philippine currency banknotes and coins, or any activity pertaining to currency integrity.

History Of USD To PHP

In the history of USD to PHP exchange rate pairing, USD to PHP reached an all-time high of 56.341 in October 2004 and a record low of 2.000 in Jan 1962. The conversion rates of USD/PHP today stand at 1 USD to 51.33 PHP at the time of writing.

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The exchange rate fluctuates daily. Many factors affect the exchange rate. The value of the Peso has slumped over the years. However, the weak PHP against the USD has one silver lining: the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can send more pesos in remittances to families in the Philippines.

OFW remittances are an important source of foreign income for the Philippines. In fact, the United States was the highest source of remittances in 2020, accounting for around 11.94 billion U.S. dollars.

In addition to exchange rates, fees on money transfers impact the remittances being sent. While it is not possible to avoid the transfer fees every single time, there are cheap ways of sending money to the Philippines from the US.

In conclusion, to understand the evolution of PHP, we had to understand the evolution of the Republic of the Philippines. The sensitivity around the topic is an interest for many fields of research.

While socio-political factors impact a currency's standing, it is mostly down to the basic economics - demand and supply. The value of PHP in relation to other currencies is what we know as the exchange rate, such as USD to PHP. Because exchange rates fluctuate daily if you send money from the US to the Philippines, always compare USD to PHP rates before sending money.

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Skrill offers zero transfer fees for an international money transfer to an overseas bank account.Best features of Skrill money transfer:Transfer funds from your Skrill wallet to bank accounts in supported regionsFees vary by route and payment method, shown before you confirm the transferView exchange rates directly in the appReceive real-time transaction notificationsMulti-language customer supportFund your account via bank transfer, debit/credit card, or local payment methodsUpgrade and verify your account at no additional costOptional Skrill Prepaid Visa Card for ATM withdrawals and global card paymentsTypical transfer speed: 24–72 hours, depending on destination and bank processingReferral programs available in select regionsAvailable on iOS and Android3. WiseWise (formerly TransferWise) is a London-based online and mobile payment service known for its upfront fee and real exchange rates. It is currently available in 59 countries and allows money transfers to over 80 countries. Wise claims that the cost of transfer is 8x cheaper than that of average banks in the UK, along with faster delivery. There is no maximum or minimum for a transfer.Best features of the Wise money transfer app:International money transfers designed to be low-cost and fastUses the real mid-market exchange rate, with fees shown upfrontWise debit card for spending and ATM withdrawals in 200+ countriesMulti-currency account to manage money across bordersHold and convert 50+ currencies within one accountInstant push notifications for transfers and card activityWise Business account available for freelancers and businessesMany transfers are completed instantly or within a few hours, depending on the routeAvailable on iOS and Android4. PassToPassTo is a UK-based mobile app that offers an easy way to send money to over 60 countries worldwide from the UK. Their secure mobile platform only takes a few minutes to download and sign up for. Best features of PassTo’s are:Promotional welcome rates available for new users (terms apply)Send money to 60+ countries, with corridor coverage expanding over timeCompetitive exchange rates, displayed before you confirm the transferTransfer speed ranges from same day to next business day, depending on destination and payout methodCustomer support available via email, phone, and in-app chatFCA-regulated in the UK, with security and compliance safeguardsPromotional offers such as free initial transfers may be availableDaily transfer limits (e.g., up to £2,000 per day), which may increase after verification5. RemitlyRemitly is an online-based money transfer provider offering affordable, quicker, and more convenient money transfer services. Currently, it allows money transfers from 17 countries, including the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia, to over 90 countries. You can send money either on their website or app.Best features of the Remitly money transfer app:Transfer directly to 130+ banks in India, 20+ banks using UPIOpt for cash pick up at 100,000+ locations in IndiaNo transfer fees for transfer amounts above $1,000Offers two modes for sending money: Remitly Economy and Remitly ExpressPromotional exchange rates for first-time usersNo hidden feesReceive the exact date and time of the arrival of your transfer6. ICICI Bank Money2IndiaICICI Bank is one of India's largest banks. ICICI Bank launched Money2India in 2002 to facilitate money transfer services to India from countries like the USA, Singapore, and the UAE. Money2India is one of the best choices to send money to India for quick transfers to ICICI bank accounts in India. The Money2India mobile app was launched in 2013 to enhance the ease of transactions and be more customer-centric.Best features of the ICICI Bank Money2India money transfer app:Send money to 100+ banks across IndiaDedicated iOS and Android app for NRI remittancesTransfers to ICICI Bank accounts are often processed within minutes to a few hoursSimple repeat transfers using saved beneficiariesTrack transactions stage-by-stageInstant push notifications and status alertsPay select bills in India through linked servicesCustomer support available via phone and email7. State Bank of India-California (SBIC)State Bank of India-California (SBIC) is a full-service bank offering an extensive portfolio of commercial lending solutions, personal and business banking products, and international services. SBIC, a fully owned subsidiary of State Bank of India, has several branches in the state of California, with headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles.SBIC is one of the fastest ways to send remittances to India from anywhere. There are three ways to transfer money: Online, the SBIC Mobile App, or at any SBIC branch. Use the SBIC app to transfer money internationally for free.Best features of the State Bank of India-California (SBIC) money transfer app:Attractive and competitive USD to INR exchange ratesNo SBIC transfer fee on online and mobile transfers (exchange rate margin applies)Transfers are often processed within the same day, depending on banking conditionsReceive transaction alerts and status notificationsSave beneficiary details for faster repeat transfersFull-service banking features, including bill payments, balance checks, deposits, and person-to-person transfersLocate nearby branches and ATMs using built-in GPSHigh transfer limits available (e.g., up to $25,000 daily and $50,000 monthly, subject to verification)8. InstaremInstarem is an online remittance service provider based in Singapore and regulated by nine financial regulators. Like Wise, it offers transparent fees and real mid-market exchange rates. It allows customers to send money to 55+ countries via its global network of 8000+ banks. They charge a percentage of your transfer amount as a fee (varies between 0%-1% depending on the sending countries and transfer corridors).Best features of the Instarem money transfer appSend money internationally to 55+ countries using the Instarem mobile appCompetitive exchange rates with fees shown upfrontMultiple payment and payout options, including bank transfers, cards, and cash pickup on select corridorsTrack transfers and receive status updatesMany transfers are delivered same day or next business day, depending on the destinationManage transactions easily with saved beneficiaries and transfer historyBusiness accounts available for international business paymentsPromotional offers such as first-transfer discounts and referral bonuses may be available (terms apply)9. Panda RemitPanda Remit is an international remittance service founded in Hong Kong by Wo Transfer Limited with investment from world-famous investors such as SEQUOIA and Light Speed. They have offices in Hong Kong, Sydney, Tokyo, Hangzhou, Denver, and Singapore. Panda Remit offers money transfer services across 30+ countries.Best features of the Panda Remit money transfer app:Send money internationally to 30+ countriesZero-fee first transfer available for new users (terms apply)Competitive fees and exchange rates, displayed upfrontSome transfers can be completed within minutes, depending on the destination and payout methodTrack transfer status directly in the appMultiple payout options, including bank deposits, digital wallets, and cash pickup on select corridorsCustomer support available 24/710. PangeaPangea is a remittance service provider offering fast, secure, easy, and affordable international money transfers to bank accounts and debit cards in 40 countries worldwide. Money transfers are done with just a few taps and received within minutes. Pangea's digital-first remittance platform can be integrated with any third party, enabling partners to offer international money transfers in their partner apps or websites.Best features of the Pangea money transfer app:Mobile app for fast international money transfersSend money to bank accounts, debit cards, mobile wallets, or cash pickup locations on supported corridorsTransfers can be initiated in seconds, with delivery time depending on destination and payout methodPay select international bills and set up automatic transfersOptional Pangea Visa Debit Card for deposits and ATM withdrawalsCompetitive exchange rates, displayed before you confirm the transferFees and exchange rates are shown upfrontStandard security and compliance measures to protect transactionsCustomer support available via in-app and online channelsPromotional discounts available for new customers (terms apply)Remittance services are available in around 25 countries11. PaysendPaysend is a money transfer company based in the UK, with over 5 million people using it for their international money transfers. It is the first payment company to introduce global card-to-card transfers. Paysend currently serves 135,000+ SMEs across the globe and supports connections between 12 billion cards worldwide across Mastercard, Visa, China UnionPay, and local card schemes in several countries.Paysend money transfer app helps you send funds to over 100 countries worldwide with its simple, fast, and low-cost transfer services.Best features of the Paysend money transfer app:Send money internationally to friends and family in 100+ countriesMany transfers are delivered within minutes, especially for card-to-card paymentsUpfront exchange rates and fees, with the final receivable amount shown before you sendSimple pricing with low, flat fees on many transfersSend money to debit, credit, or prepaid cards in supported countriesTransfer funds to international bank accounts on select routes, often with low or no transfer feesDelivery times can range from near-instant to a few business days, depending on destination and payout methodPractical Steps to Get StartedReady to try a money transfer app? Follow these steps:Research your corridor: Check typical costs and speeds for your specific origin and destination. Find the best money transfer app by comparing several providers serving your route.Verify recipient details: Confirm the exact bank account number, mobile wallet ID, or cash pickup location your family uses. Errors delay transfers and may incur correction fees.Start with a test transfer: Send a small amount first to verify the process works smoothly, and your recipient can access funds without issues.Keep records: Save confirmation numbers, receipts, and screenshots showing the promised exchange rate and fees. You'll need these if problems arise.Watch for rate changes: Exchange rates fluctuate based on economic conditions. The Federal Reserve's interest-rate policies affect dollar strength against many currencies. Check current news and analysis to understand factors moving rates.Review transfers regularly: Revisit your provider choice every few months. New competitors enter the market, and existing providers adjust pricing. What offered the best value six months ago may not today.Once you’ve covered these essentials, you’ll find it much easier to select an app that delivers real value on every transfer.Make Your Next Transfer CountChoosing the right wire transfer app helps you send more money home to the people who matter most. The difference between paying 5% in total costs versus 2% adds up significantly over dozens of transfers each year. Those savings mean extra funds for your family's needs, whether education expenses, healthcare, home improvements, or simply a better quality of life.Take a few minutes to compare your options carefully. Look at the complete cost picture, verify safety and licensing, and test with a small transfer before committing to larger amounts. Use CompareRemit's comparison tool to see real-time rates, fees, and delivery times across trusted providers. You'll find the best value for your specific needs and gain confidence that your money reaches your family safely and efficiently.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Q: Can I trust wire transfer apps with my money?Licensed wire transfer apps registered with FinCEN and holding state money-transmitter licenses follow strict regulations and must maintain surety bonds. Verify licensing before using any provider.Q: Which money transfer app has the lowest fees?Fees vary by amount, destination, and payment method. Some money sending apps charge zero fees but apply wider exchange-rate margins. Compare the total cost, including both components.Q: How fast do wire transfer apps deliver money?Speed depends on the payout method. Cash pickup arrives in minutes, mobile wallets within hours, and bank deposits typically take 1-3 business days.Q: What documents do I need to use a money transfer app?Most online money transfer apps require government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number, and bank account or debit card details. Larger transfers may require additional verification.Q: Can I cancel a transfer after sending?Under CFPB rules, you can cancel within 30 minutes of payment for covered transfers. After that, cancellation depends on the provider's policy and whether funds already reached the recipient.Q: Do I pay taxes on money I send abroad?Sending personal remittances doesn't trigger U.S. taxes. However, unusually large or structured transfers may require IRS reporting. Consult IRS guidance on international transfers for details.

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