A 19th-century photograph of national hero José Rizal, rare revolutionary-era memorabilia, and historic gold coinage will headline the upcoming Minted MNL Summer Show auction, positioning Philippine heritage pieces at the center of this year’s sale.
The auction forms part of the Minted MNL Summer Show scheduled in March 14 to 15 at The Westin Manila Hotel in Ortigas Center, an event designed to bring together collectors, dealers, and historians in a marketplace-style setting where rare coins, banknotes, medals, and historical objects are bought, sold, and studied.
Founded in 2016, Minted MNL focuses on building a collecting culture anchored on storytelling, preservation, and authentication services, while linking local collectors to global grading institutions and auction networks.
- Lot 1 features what organizers describe as a rare original 19th-century photographic print of José Rizal, surviving examples of which are scarce due to wartime destruction and climate damage, making period prints highly prized among collectors of Philippine historical ephemera.
Other early lots trace the nation’s formative years:
- Lot 2: A Malolos Republic–era jewelry suite symbolizing the First Philippine Republic and reflecting revolutionary-period aesthetics and identity.
- Lot 3: An Emilio Aguinaldo-signed 1899 certificate issued days before the fall of Tarlac, documenting civil governance efforts during the Philippine-American War.
- Lot 4: An 18-karat gold “Señorita Tambourine” necklace inspired by Spanish-period musical traditions and social life.
These pieces underscore the auction’s emphasis on material culture — objects that connect political history, daily life, and artistic expression.
Spanish colonial gold and early monetary artifacts
Several lots highlight coins struck during pivotal economic transitions:
- Lot 5: An 1868 Isabel II gold peso minted in Manila during the final year of her reign, representing one of the last Spanish colonial gold issues produced locally.
- Lot 6: An 1868/58 four-peso gold coin tied to the same transitional period in Spanish imperial rule.
- Lot 7: An 1882 four-peso piece from the Alfonso XII era reflecting Manila’s role as a commercial hub of empire.
- Lot 12: A 1906-S U.S.–Philippine silver peso, one of the most elusive issues after many were melted when bullion prices exceeded face value.
- Lot 13: An 18th-century Manila Industry Medal linked to Enlightenment-era reforms promoting productivity and economic development in the colony.
Together, these coins illustrate shifts from Spanish to American sovereignty and the Philippines’ integration into global trade systems.
Modern commemoratives and international pieces
Later lots transition into modern numismatics:
- Lot 8: A 1975 Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos ₱5,000 gold coin “Blue Edition,” noted for its low mintage and survival rate.
- Lot 9: A 1978 ₱1,500 gold coin celebrating Philippine minting capability, featuring the sampaguita motif.
- Lot 10: A 1999 ₱5,000 commemorative marking the 50th anniversary of the Central Bank, issued in limited quantity.
- Lot 11: A 2025 U.S. American Liberty high-relief gold coin, demonstrating the auction’s inclusion of globally recognized modern issues.
Event blends marketplace, education, and authentication services
Beyond the auction, organizers said the Summer Show will include a bourse floor where collectors can directly trade items and share expertise, creating both a marketplace and a knowledge-exchange hub.
The event will also host curated exhibits from private collections, educational talks for new and experienced collectors, and on-site grading and authentication services from international authorities.
An international auction component is expected to attract participation from both local and foreign buyers, highlighting the Philippines’ growing presence in the global collectibles market.
Reviving collecting as cultural preservation
Minted MNL positions the show as part of a broader effort to “reinvent the hobby of collecting” and make historical preservation engaging across generations.
By combining historical artifacts, numismatics, and educational programming, the Summer Show aims to frame collecting not merely as acquisition, but as stewardship of heritage.
