Provenance: Estate of Don Francisco Zaragoza of Singalong, Manila

Exhibited: Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, Visions of the Possible: Legacies of Philippine Freedom. Published in Commemoration of the Centennial of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, June 12, 1998, Studio 5 Publishing Inc., Makati, Philippines, 1998; Page 114.

ABOUT THE WORK

Negotiated by Emilio Aguinaldo’s chef de cabinet, Pedro Paterno, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato cut short the revolution against the Spanish. In exchange for Aguinaldo and his key officers going into exile in Hong Kong, they received some 400,000 in Mexican dollars, or a downpayment of half of the 800,000 dollars, stipulated in the “peace treaty.” Could these coins have been created from some of the proceeds of this fabled amount—as commemorative memorabilia? The Biak-na-Bato gilded copper coinage comes in three different sizes and distinct designs: 1) Smallest size coin, denominated “4/8R” or ½ Real. OBVERSE: Katipunan emblem design showing the sun (without rays) surrounded by a wreath with a star on top. REVERSE.: Standard Spanish Coat of Arms in between two pillars, and surrounding it the words “*Hispan*Et*Ind*Rex*M 48R*F*M”. Size 19 mm. with 4 holes, 2 at top and 2 more at bottom. Size 18 mm. in diameter. 2) Middle size coin, denominated 4 pesos. OBVERSE: Katipunan emblem design showing the sun surrounded by wreath. REVERSE: Standard Spanish Coat of Arms in between two pillars,the words “Filipinas” below, and “Reinas de las Espanas” at top, with “4 P” in between the Spanish Coat of Arms. Size 21-1/2 mm. with 4 holes, 2 at top and 2 more at bottom. Size 21-1/2 mm. in diameter. 3) Third size coin, denominated 4 Reales. OBVERSE : Katipunan emblem design showing the sun surrounded by wreath with a star on top. REVERSE : Standard Spanish Coat of Arms in between two pillars, and surrounding it the words “Hispan*Et Ind Rex*M*4 R*F*M”. Size 27 mm with 2 holes at top, some with additional hole a bottom. Size 26-1/2 mm. in diameter.