2016-10-25 Tue

A 50-centavo .750 fine silver Coin and a 1947 .900 fine silver peso commemorate the efforts of the American general MacArthur for liberating the islands. Gen. MacArthur left Philippine and went to Australia during World War II after Japan invaded the Philippines. He returned during the 20th October 1944 Japanese attack on Leyte.

These were the first coins struck at San Francisco Mint designed by famous sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser for the new Republic of the Philippines. During this time, the Philippine Islands were a U.S. commonwealth and many coins were struck at U.S Mint facilities even though the Manila Mint was operational officially.

Gen. MacArthur was also featured on a 1980 25-piso coin, a 1994 5-piso piece, and a 2014 5-peso piece, to celebrate the Leyte landing.