More papal visit coins to be minted, demand 'overwhelming' – Bangko Sentral

More of the Pope Francis papal visit special commemorative coins will be minted “in response to overwhelming public demand”, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Friday.

 

“The commemorative coins for Pope Francis is the fastest-selling so far among the special coins minted by the BSP,” the central bank said.

 

The minting of the additional coins has the approval of the Vatican.

 

“To avoid oversubscription beyond the amended agreement with the Vatican in view of the sustained demand, the BSP will close the period of reservation for the Papal Coins on Friday, 13 March 2015, earlier than the original deadline of June 30, 2015,” the BSP said.

 

The BSP also said that orders made “up to March 6 will be fully served as supply becomes available” but orders from March 7 to March 13 “will be served on a pro-rata based on actual remaining inventory.”

"Please note that the email address papalcoins@bsp.gov.ph was deactivated on 30 January 2015. Orders may be placed on-line by going to the BSP website www.bsp.gov.ph  and clicking on  the link "Reservation for Papal Coins" under the Public Advisories column," BSP spokesperson Lili Beth Gelvezon said via separate email to news organizations.

 

Confirmation emails will be sent to the people who placed orders. The email will state the date and place of the pick-up.

 

The BSP said the confirmation email “must be presented as proof of order when claiming the Papal coin/s.  Payment shall be paid in cash at the Cash Department for pick up in Metro Manila, and at designated BSP Regional/branch office, for outside Metro Manila.”

 

The commemorative coins are available in 50-Piso, 500-Piso, 1,000-Piso and 10,000-Piso denominations and “are all legal tender and are being sold at prices higher than its face value to cover production, packaging and other costs.”  — Earl Victor L. Rosero, GMA News