Catalog
25 Pesos
| Issuer | Tesoro de las Islas Filipinas |
|---|---|
| Year | 1877 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 25 Pesos |
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| Obverse description | The royal arms of Spain surmounted by a crown appear as a vignette at upper centre, flanked by the inscription ISLAS FILIPINAS. Large ornate guilloche numerals reading 25 are arranged vertically along the left margin, with Ps. Fs. denomination cartouches above and below. The central text field carries the treasury note legend in letterpress, with the manuscript date Manila 26 de Abril de 1877 and three manuscript signatures of issuing officials at the foot. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | ISLAS FILIPINAS BILLETE DEL TESORO EMISSION DECRETADA EN 6 DE ABRIL DE 1877 Ps. Fs. 25 Ps. Fs. 25 VALE POR VEINTE Y CINCO PESOS FUERTE AL PORTADOR Y SIN INTERES MANILA (Translation: The Phillipine Islands Treasury note Issue decreed on April 6, 1877 Value for twenty five hard pesos to the bearer and without interest) |
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| Comments |
The Tesoro de las Islas Filipinas operated as the colonial treasury under Spanish administration, issuing notes backed by the revenues of the archipelago rather than by any peninsular banking institution. By 1877, Philippine fiscal infrastructure was still largely autonomous from Madrid in practical terms — the treasury handled customs receipts, tobacco monopoly income, and government disbursements locally, which made these notes instruments of colonial finance rather than conventional bank currency.
Three-signature authentication was deliberately cumbersome, requiring sign-off from the Director General, Contador General, and Central Treasurer simultaneously. That requirement limited forgery risk but also slowed issuance considerably.