On November 22–23, 2025, The Westin Manila Hotel became a vibrant nexus for history and collecting as it hosted Minted MNL's highly anticipated Year-End Show.
The event successfully brought together a diverse community of hobbyists, seasoned collectors, and enthusiasts from across the region.
Established in 2016 by Sigrid Carandang, Minted MNL curated a showcase that transcended typical collectible fairs, highlighting exceptional and often priceless artifacts significant to Philippine history.
"We consider ourselves a platform for passion, arts, and history," Sigrid told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an exclusive interview.
"This is where you see tangible pieces of the past that you can touch and hold.
"And each of those pieces tells a story. So we wanted people... joining the Minted MNL show to appreciate our heritage better and to find the joy in collecting."
RARE COINS
A major draw of the show was its auction segment, which concluded the two-day event with record-breaking success.
Among its rarest pieces in the spotlight were the historic Spanish-Philippine coin "Firme V Feliz Por La Union" and the iconic Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos 5,000 Piso gold coin.
The "Firme V Feliz Por La Union" coin is an incredibly rare piece of Philippine history from the Spanish colonial era.
It's special because it shows how the government tried to fix money problems by stamping existing coins.
This particular coin, originally from Peru, was holed and then uniquely stamped with "Y. II." (for Queen Isabella II) on both sides of the hole, alongside an older "F. 7. O." mark.
These stamps were put there after a decree in 1834 to make holed coins valid again, following public unrest.
Its survival perfectly tells the story of a turbulent time when Spanish rule, local needs, and South American money all intertwined in the Philippines.
The Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos 5000 Piso Gold Coins are among the most prized collectibles in Philippine history. Issued in 1975 by The Franklin Mint for the Central Bank, these coins were part of a commemorative series honoring the Marcos era.
The Blue Edition features gold portraits of Ferdinand and Imelda on a striking blue background. Only 2,832 pieces were made, and many were later melted, making it very rare today.
Meanwhile, the Red Edition is even more exclusive, with a deep ruby-red design and a massive size. Only 100 pieces were minted, and most were lost after 1986, making it one of the scarcest Philippine coins ever.
Both coins were originally presented in elegant cases with certificates and are admired for their craftsmanship, rarity, and historical significance.
Minted MNL shattered its own records, with the "Firme V Feliz Por La Union" coin selling for an astounding USD116,800, equivalent to PHP6 million.
Meanwhile, the Marcos coins also fetched impressive sums, with the red edition selling for USD24,528 (PHP1.4 million) and the blue edition for USD11,680 (PHP686,000).
HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS
While rare coins and banknotes took center stage, Minted MNL’s showcase went far beyond numismatics.
Attendees explored an impressive range of historical artifacts, many displayed by collector Melvin Lam, who has been curating pieces for nearly two decades.
When asked what inspired his passion, Melvin credited his father: “Nakikita ko kasi sa bahay palagi, 'tapos pag nahihilig ka rin sa history, sa kultura, ayun.”
What does he look for when adding to his collection?
“Unang-una, original siya. Pangalawa, mas maganda kung may historical impact sa society. 'Tapos yung isa pa siguro pagtabi siguro ng mga sinaunang gamit natin.”
His booth featured an evocative photograph of Jose Rizal’s final moments, original letters written by national heroes such as Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto.
Talking about these rare items, specifically the letter of Andres Bonifacio, Melvin shared, "Yung sulat ni Bonifacio, very interesting din.
"Makikita mo na talagang... di ba sinasabi nila hindi siya nakapag-aral, pero pag tinignan mo yung sulat niya maayos naman. 'Tapos wala pang erasure."
Another highlight at his booth was a collection of anting-anting—traditional amulets believed to offer protection to their wearers.
Melvin shared, "Nanggaling talaga sa mga gumamit dati, mga antingero, mga manggagamot.
"So, katulad niya, may mga mutya tayo diyan. Mutya ng ngipin ng kabayo which symbolizes yung mga tikbalang.
"'Tapos meron din mga mutya ng ngipin ng kalabaw. 'Tapos yung mga fossilized na ngipin ng pating, ginawan din nilang necklace."
With Minted MNL’s Year-End Showcase now wrapped up, Sigrid looks ahead with optimism. She hopes future events will draw even more visitors eager to experience rare Filipino historical artifacts up close—pieces that tell the nation’s story through coins, banknotes, and cultural treasures.
For Sigrid, these showcases are more than exhibitions; they’re opportunities to keep history alive and inspire a deeper appreciation for our heritage.
She said, "I hope you can come to our next Minted MNL show, where you'll see history and passion come alive in the form of the items or numismatic.
"Be it a coin, be it paper money, be it an antique, or jewelry. So, you'll never find it anywhere because these are collector pieces and they're... most of them are vaulted.
"So, but in Minted Manila, people showcase their items, so it will be worthwhile to see."
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