Philippines WWII 1944 2 Pesos "VICTORY" Treasury Certificate

• Issuing Authority: Commonwealth of the Philippines / United States of America

• Denomination: Two Pesos (₱2.00)

• Series / Authorization: VICTORY Series No. 66

• Catalog Reference: Pick # 95

• Serial Number: F06022063 (Black typography, plate letter C)

• Portrait: Dr. José Rizal (National hero, polymath, and key figure of the Philippine Propaganda Movement)

• Signatures (Printed Facsimiles):

  • Sergio Osmeña (President)

  • Jaime Hernandez (Auditor General)

• Seal: Blue circular Commonwealth of the Philippines Treasury Seal

• Reverse Overprint: Bold black open-face typography reading VICTORY across the blue intaglio back

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

Historical Context

• Prepared alongside the 1 Peso notes by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1944 to accompany General Douglas MacArthur’s liberation forces.

• Printed on high-grade U.S. currency stock with distinctive blue reverse intaglio ink, distinguishing the 2 Pesos denomination from the orange reverse used on the 1 Peso note.

• Unlike the abundant 1 Peso notes, the 2 Pesos denomination had a significantly lower print run and saw intense everyday commercial use across the islands, making surviving examples noticeably tougher to find in collector grades.

Technical & Visual Assessment

• Technical Grade: Good to Very Good (G 6 – VG 8, Margin Tears)

• Preservation & Wear Characteristics:

  • Folds & Stress: Heavy horizontal center fold showing advanced fiber breakdown, accompanied by multiple vertical handling folds and surface wrinkling.

  • Edge Tears / Margin Splits: The primary horizontal center fold has split through both outer margins, creating a visible tear/notch along the left margin and a companion split on the right border.

  • Toning & Staining: Heavy environmental age-toning and pocket soiling throughout, with contact staining visible in the center-left field adjacent to the serial number and along the reverse borders.

  • Print Quality: Serial numbers (F06022063) and signature blocks remain bold and fully readable, the blue Commonwealth seal is distinct, and the black VICTORY overprint retains solid contrast against the blue background