New-York tribune., 1902-07-23
COINS FOR THE PHILIPPINES.
OLD SPANISH MINT AT MANILA TO Be
GIN WORK SoON-DES1GNS
SELECTED.
TBr rELEGnApr 70 THE TRIBUNE.


Washington. July 1.-THE War Department is
hurry.ng the rehabilitation OF the old Spanish
mint at Manila, and hopes 10 put the new fhinp-
pine coinage IN circulation by the END OF this
year. design for the issue, made by native
Filipino artist has been selected from number
submitted in competition, and the
necessary dies are completed by the Philadelphia
Mint they Will be sent 10 Manila. with the neces-
sary machinery for turning out product equal TO
American subsidiary money. This course has been
adopted in order TO the expense of trans
porting the coin across the Pacific and TO utilize
the metals of the archipelago the law enacted
by Congress having authorized the Philippine
civil government TO execute the coinage in the
mints Of the United States to establish an
insular mint ar Manila. There will be silver coins
ranging In value from a dime to half dollar. and
copper coins OF denominations from a half-cent
10 FIVE cents. 1t also stipulated in the act
OF Congress that each coin should bear, besides
some device cmblematic OF United States soyer-
eighty. design readily recognized by the Filipinos
themselves appropriate to their own arch-
pelago.
The design finally selected by the War Depart
ment, with the approval Of Acting Governor
Wright, combines these requirements. The artist
IS a Filipino named Figueroa, whose drawings
selected from a large number submitted.
On the diverse appears a female figure. in flow
ing robes and with hair streaming to her shou-
ders. Her left hand rests gracefully her bosom,
while her right holds hammer which rests on
Msvon yoIcsn in tbe Fravince ItE of Aha on the
island Of Luzon This is the largest active volcano
in the archipelago. Above this design appears
the denomination of the coin, and below it the
word ''Filipinas." On the reverse is American
shield. bearing the Stars and Stripes. with an
eagle perched above. and the words. United
States of America" and the date. The whole
makes striking and beautiful coin: Some criti-
eism has been made of the figure of the woman,
because of its thin, flowing drapery the idea being
suggested that IL might be taken as a representa-
lion Of a Filipino woman scantily clad. The de
5ign Ggn rs however allegorical and the drapery
Greeian. and i was determined that its artistic
merits outweghed any criticism of this sort.
Among the designs submitted was one by Rear
Admiral Taylor, for the diverse of the coin 1t
represented the head and bust of a good looking
Mestiza woman. with a mantle over her head,
looking toward a rising sun. and with three stars
over her head The and the stars were part
or the former insurgent emblem, the sun repre-
senting the new republic. and the stars the three
largest Islands in Its constellation. 1t was urged
~ support OF the acceptance OF this design that
Its patriotic significance would bring IL into favor
with the people of the islands. II was also said
mat Governor Taft had Professionally approved II
Despite these considerations however the artistic
merits Of Figueroa's design decided the War De-
partment In its favor.