Bangko Sentral to produce more Pope Francis coins

MANILA, Philippines–Pope Francis’ star power has not lost its luster in the weeks since he left the country, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announcing it would produce more commemorative coins that marked the pontiff’s visit.

In a statement, the BSP said supply was guaranteed for those that placed orders for Pope Francis coins until last Friday.

People may continue placing orders until March 13th, but the orders would be filed only based on actual remaining inventory. The original deadline was June 30 but this was extended due to strong demand for the coins.

“The commemorative coins for Pope Francis is the fastest-selling so far among the special coins minted by the BSP,” a statement released on Friday read.

The central bank noted “overwhelming” public demand for the coins, which are being sold in four denominations: P50, P500, P1,000 and P10,000.

The P10,000 coin is the most expensive at P25,000 each. Each P1,000 coin is P3,500, while the P50 and P500 cost twice their face value.

Commemorative coins for Pope Francis are all legal tender and are being sold at prices higher than its face value to cover production, packaging and other costs.

Additional Pope Francis commemorative coins will be available in the next few months as materials needed for the minting and packaging will go through public bidding.

The BSP started taking orders for Pope Francis coins in the middle of January or a day before the pontiff arrived in the Philippines for his five-day visit.

“As a matter of policy, the BSP commemorates significant events in our country’s history through the minting of coins, medals or overprints on bank notes,” the central bank said in a statement.

Commemorative coins were also issued to commemorate the 1970 visit of Pope Paul VI, and the 1981 and 1995 visits of Pope John Paul II, who was canonized in April 2014.