| UNDER THE SPANISH
DOMINION
The denominations of
the stamped paper and adhesive revenue stamps issued for use in the Philippines
were expressed in terms of the monetary unit which was current at the time
of their issue. The monetary unit of Spain underwent numerous changes
during the more than three hundred years of Spanish Dominion in the Philippines.
The currency of Spain circulated in the Philippines and the denomination
of Philippine stamped paper and adhesive revenue stamps were at certain
periods expressed in terms of Spanish currency. But the currency of Spanish
America also circulated in the Philippines, This was originally due to
the fact that for many years all communication with Spain was by
way of Mexico and almost all exports from the Philippines were shipped
to Mexico, which sent Mexican silver to the Philippines in payment thereof.
Hence, the denominations of Philippine stamped paper and adhesive
revenue stamps were, during certain periods, expressed in terms of the
current Spanish American currency.
The several monetary
units in terms of which the denominations of Philippine stamped paper and
adhesive revenue stamps were expressed at ii various times were the following:
| 1 Real |
) |
= (20 cuartos) |
|
| 1 Real de Plata |
) = 2 medio reales |
= ( 4 cuartillos) |
= 1/8 peso (Mex) |
| 1 Real Fuerte |
) |
|
|
| 1 Escudo |
) |
= 100 centimos de
escudo |
= 1/2 peso (Mex) |
| 1 Peseta |
) |
= 100 centimos de
peseta |
= 1/5 peso (Mex) |
| 1 Peso |
) |
|
|
| 1 Peso FUERTE |
) = 100 centimos |
= 1000 milesimas |
= 8 reales |
|
|
|
= 2 escudos |
|
|
|
= 5 pesetas |
For more than two hundred
years subsequent to 1640 the REAL DE PLATA, also called REAL PUERTE or
more often simply, REAL, was the principal monetary unit of both Spanish
America and the Philippines. The PESO eventually replaced the REAL
as the monetary unit of Spanish America, but in the beginning
both the PESO and the REAL were in use. For more than one hundred
years subsequent to 1640, the account of receipts and expenditures of the
Philippine Government was kept in terms of PESOS, TOMINS, and GRANOS. One
PESO was equal to 8 tomins. Thus TOMIN was simply another name for
REAL. One TOMIN was equal to twelve GRANOS. For possibly one
hundred years prior to 1868, the account of receipts and expenditures of
the Philippine Government was kept In terms of PESOS, REALES and CUARTOS.
One PESO was equal to 8 Reales and 1 REAL was equal to 20 Quartos.
A MEDIO REAL was one half Real. A CUARTILLO or QUARTILLO was one
fourth REAL. The Denominations were expressed in terms of the
REAL: On Philippine stamped paper from 1640 until the end of
1867; on DERECHO JUDICIAL stamps of the Spanish Colonies (Including the
Philippines) from 1856 to 1865; on Philippine Derecho Judicial stamps of
1878.
The Escudo was the
official monetary unit of Spain from June 26, 1864, until October 18, 1868.
By the Royal Order of September 21, 1866, the Treasurer of the Philippines
was advised that the Royal Order of March 21, 1865, should be complied
within the Philippines. The Royal Order of March 21, 1865, is as follows:
| Most Excellent
Sir; It having been decreed by Royal Order of 8th of the current (month)
that in all the Colonial dominions, and to count from 1st of July next
coming, the ESCUDO must be the monetary unit when there may be necessary
the expression of amounts in book-keeping and in all public documents,
there must be adjusted to said unit the different kinds of stamps and stamped
paper in use in the Colonial provinces. This change, however, cannot take
place on the expressed date in these Islands with respect to said stamps
and stamped paper because, in addition to this, that it would be impossible
that the National Stamp Factory could print and remit them in such short
time, it would produce damages of importance to have to make invalid many
of the stamps and stamped paper now in use, as also the next to remit to
these Islands for the biennial period of 1866-67, and the excessive expense
which the precise surcharging of the same would occasion until the arrival
of the new requisitions which would necessary to make the values adjusted
to the monetary unit, ESCUDO.
In view of that
explained, the Quean (Whom God Protect) has deigned to command that for
that which pertains to those Islands, there should be continued the use
of the stamps and stamped paper with the values which they express In PESOS
and REALES FUERTES until end of December of 1867, advising Your Lordship
that in the future the calculation of the stamps and stamped paper necessary
in those Islands should be for a biennial period, and the requisition should
be made with the due anticipation, to the end that, before the period begins
in which they must be used, they may be found at their destination.
Finally, I remit to Your Lordship a statement attached of the values which
the different classes of stamps and stamped paper which may be consumed
in those Islands from the 1st of January of 1868, must express, taking
for pattern the monetary unit, ESCUDO. By Royal Order I tell it to
you for your knowledge and corresponding effects.
God guard you, etc. — Madrid, 21 of March of 1865. — Sir Superior Civil
Governor of the Islands of Porto Rico and of Philippines. (Pages
176-177, Volume 13, Legislation Ultramarina [1868] by San Pedro). |
In the Philippines,
denominations were expressed in ESCUDOS on stamped paper from January
1, 1868 to December 31, 1871; on Derechos de Firma stamps of 1868 (1867?)
to 1870.
The PESETA became the
monetary unit of Spain on October 19, 1868, and has remained the monetary
unit of Spain ever since that date. It has not been possible to find
a decree requiring that the denominations of Philippine stamps and stamped
paper be expressed in terms of the PESETA.
The denominations actually
were expressed in PESETAS: however, on stamped paper from January
1, 1872 to December 31, 1877; Philippine Derechos de Firma stamps of
1873- 75; on the Derecho Judicial stamp of 1874. |
