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Manila Mint Opening (Wilson Dollar) - 1920 - Manila, PI
Medals commemorate opening of United States Mint in Manila, Philippine Islands, July 16, 1920—only overseas mint ever established by our country.
Discovered by Ferdinand Magellan 1521, conquered by Spain 1565 and ruled by her for more than 300 years, Philippine Islands were ceded to United States by treaty Dec. 10, 1898, following Spanish-American War. Filipinos, unable to obtain complete independence from U. S. after war, started guerrilla warfare Feb. 4, 1899; finally crushed with capture of their leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, March 23, 1901.
As conciliatory act, U. S. in 1903 began to strike special series of Philippine Islands coins to replace Spanish colonial issues then in use; coins struck at both Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints, 1903-1908 at former and 1903-1920 (1 centavo only in 1920) at latter. These issues have become the only "colonial" coinage ever struck under U. S. authority. In meantime, Bureau of Mint, U. S. Treasury Department, proceeded with plans for Islands to have own mint; Insular Treasurer A. P. Fitzsimmons named Mint Director ad interim May 20, 1919; electrically operated coining equipment made in Philadelphia Mint machine shop; mint formally opened following year.
Medals designed by Clifford Hewitt who installed equipment and taught natives its operation; dies by George Morgan of Philadelphia Mint. Issue limited to 2200 Silver and 3700 Copper pieces; sold for $1 and 50 cents, respectively. Gold specimens are listed in Part IV.
Obverse: Pres. Woodrow Wilson, bust facing to l.; above, around, President of the · United · States; beaded border.
Reverse: Justice, kneeling l., scales in upraised r. hand, rests l. hand upon shoulder of nude youth who is pouring planchets from cornucopia into coin press; above all, around To Commemorate the opening of the Mint; below all Manila P.I. / 1920 (incuse in oval); microscopic M to r. behind l. foot of Justice.
HK-449 - Silver. Size 24.
HK-450 - Copper.
HK-1031 - Gold.
 
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