1944 Philippines 1 Peso – WWII "Victory" Treasury Certificate (Series No. 66) – Osmeña / Hernandez – Pick # 94a – Very Good to Fine (VG 10 – F 12)

Item Overview

• Issuing Authority: Commonwealth of the Philippines (Under United States Administration)

• Denomination: One Peso ("Payable to the Bearer on Demand in Silver Pesos or in Legal Tender Currency of the United States of Equivalent Value")

• Series: VICTORY / Series No. 66

• Issue Date / Era: 1944 (WWII Allied Liberation Issue)

• Catalog Reference:

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick): Pick # 94a

  • Shafer (Philippine Paper Money): Listed under Victory Treasury Certificates

• Serial Number: F 10351086 (Dual black serial numbers with letter prefix F)

• Signatures / Officials:

  • Sergio Osmeña (President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines)

  • Jaime Hernandez (Auditor General)

• Printer: United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), Washington, D.C.

• Design & Imagery:

  • Obverse Portrait: Apolinario Mabini (revolutionary leader, prime minister, and the "Brain of the Katipunan").

  • Obverse Seal: Blue round seal of the Commonwealth of the Philippines / United States of America.

  • Reverse (Back): Bold, heavy black overprint reading "VICTORY" centered across the orange lathework back.

Historical Significance: The Liberation "Victory" Issue

• General Douglas MacArthur's Leyte Landing: When U.S. and Allied forces landed on Leyte on October 20, 1944, General Douglas MacArthur brought crates containing millions of these BEP-printed "Victory Series No. 66" banknotes to restore the Commonwealth's financial system and immediately invalidate Japanese "JIM" (Japanese Invasion Money).

• Origin of "Series No. 66": According to BEP records, "No. 66" was designated in honor of President Manuel L. Quezon, who died in exile on August 1, 1944, just months before liberation.

• The Last U.S. Administration Paper: This series represents the final paper currency series produced by the United States BEP for the Philippines before full independence was recognized in 1946.

Fancy Serial Breakdown

• Serial Number Analysis: 10351086

  • Digits Present: 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 (Features a double appearance of 10: 10351086).

  • Pattern Breakdown: Standard circulating 8-digit production run. It does not carry a replacement star suffix or meet strict fancy pattern classifications.

Condition & Visual Grade

• Estimated Technical Grade: Very Good to Fine (VG 10 – F 12)

• Preservation Highlights:

  • Displays authentic wartime and postwar commercial circulation handling.

  • Softened paper fabric with multiple vertical folds and horizontal center creases.

  • Shows natural handling patina and localized age toning / light foxing in the central field between Mabini and the seal.

  • Intact border margins without large edge tears, missing paper chunks, or ink graffiti.

  • Blue Commonwealth seal and black BEP intaglio inks remain fully bold and legible.