1 peso 1944

Common. eBay market data shows widespread availability with multiple listings in the $9.99-$20.00 USD range for unknown/circulated grades, with even AU and XF examples trading at $20-$161 USD. The existence of numerous price points across multiple condition grades indicates a substantial surviving population. While the specific Negros Emergency Currency Board issue is more specialized than regular Commonwealth currency, the availability of multiple specimens at modest price points confirms this is not a scarce or rare note.

Issued in 1944 under presidential authority, this emergency currency certificate was authorized by the Negros Emergency Currency Board as a response to the monetary disruptions of World War II in the Philippine Islands. The Commonwealth of the Philippines, transitioning toward independence (achieved in 1946), issued these certificates as legal tender specifically redeemable through the Negros regional authority. The note's explicit redemption promise and official seal reflect the legitimate governmental authority behind this emergency monetary measure during the Japanese occupation and subsequent liberation campaign.

The obverse features an ornamental border design in red and pink tones with a prominent circular official seal rendered in green, containing text around its perimeter that identifies the issuing authority. The reverse employs a simplified design with green printing featuring an ornamental geometric border pattern framing the note, with the denomination prominently repeated. No portraits or specific landmarks appear on either side; instead, the design emphasizes official governmental symbols and text-based authentication through the seal and authorized signatures of board members. The note's layout prioritizes legal language and redemption promises over decorative imagery, reflecting the practical, emergency nature of its issuance.

FRONT SIDE: 'Emergency Currency Certificate' / 'Issued by authority of the President of the Philippines' / 'This certifies that the Commonwealth of the Philippines will redeem this vermicule [sic] at face value upon presentation of emergency' / 'ONE PESO' / 'SERIES OF 1944' / 'Payable to the bearer on demand in other pesos or in legal tender currency of the Negros Emergency Currency Board' / Serial number: 44581 / Signatories: Auditor Otadi Montelibano Benedicto, Assistant Treasurer (Asst. Treasurer), Governor (CHAIRMAN), William Auditor, and Members of the Board. BACK SIDE: 'One Philippines Peso' / 'ONE PESO' (repeated four times in design).

Letterpress printing on aged tan/beige paper stock. The note exhibits the characteristic appearance of multi-color letterpress work typical of 1944-era Philippine currency production, with distinct red, green, and tan color separation. The circular seal and ornamental borders show the precise registration expected from period security printing techniques. The faded appearance of the red and green inks, along with visible paper aging and foxing, is consistent with seven decades of natural deterioration of this letterpress-printed certificate.

Serial number 44581 observed on this specimen. The note is specifically identified as a Negros Emergency Currency Board issue (as noted in the collector reference 'Negros Emerg.'). Known varieties for Pick S672 would include different signature combinations among board members, varying serial number ranges, and potentially different printing batches. The specific signatures visible (Otadi Montelibano Benedicto as Auditor, William Auditor as another official, plus Governor and Member positions) represent one documented variety of this emergency issue.