Culion Island Philippines Leper Colony 1 Peso Token KM-16 VF PCGS CuNi coin 1922

The 1922 Culion Island Leper Colony 1 Peso Token is a remarkable and historically significant numismatic piece issued exclusively for use at the Culion Leper Colony in the Philippines. Struck in copper-nickel and certified PCGS VF (Very Fine), this token represents an extraordinary chapter in medical and social history. Produced to serve as a dedicated circulating medium within the colony, it helped prevent the spread of disease through the handling of regular currency while creating a self-contained economic system for residents.

The obverse displays the denomination 1 Peso prominently at the center, surrounded by the inscriptions identifying the Culion Leper Colony and the Philippine Islands, all enclosed by a simple raised rim with decorative stars separating the legends. The reverse features the year 1922 beneath a large caduceus—a winged staff entwined by two serpents, symbolizing medicine and healthcare. The design is completed by the inscription Philippines Service and matching star separators, emphasizing the token's official medical purpose.

Established in 1906, the Culion Leper Colony became one of the world's largest treatment centers for people affected by Hansen's disease. These distinctive tokens circulated only within the colony and remain highly sought after for their unique historical background. Certified PCGS VF, this original copper-nickel token is an exceptional addition to collections focused on medical history, exonumia, Philippine numismatics, and rare historical issues.

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