The numismatic industry — the art of collecting and studying coins, paper money, and historical currency — is a multi-billion-dollar market worldwide. The field remains relatively underdeveloped in the Philippines, but Minted MNL, a young but ambitious auction house, eyes to change that.
Founded in 2016, Minted MNL has quickly established itself as the country’s leading numismatic auction house. In just two years of hosting live auctions, the company has facilitated millions in sales, drawn international collectors, and set new standards for the local coin-collecting community.
Minted MNL Chairman Sigrid Carandang, a lifelong collector whose passion for coins began at an early age, said in an interview: “I’ve been collecting since I was a child. I was always fascinated by coins — any shiny coin, really. If I saw one in someone’s pocket, I would ask for it.”
Today, that childhood curiosity has evolved into a mission to legitimize and expand the numismatic market in the Philippines, putting it on par with international auction houses.
The global numismatic market is worth billions, and Carandang believes the Philippines has the potential to become a major player. “We want to make sure Minted MNL is not just a platform but a gateway to the world for collectors, historians, and hobbyists,” she said.
Unlike traditional art auctions, Minted MNL is focused exclusively on numismatics — the study and collection of currency, coins, medals, and tokens. “Numismatics is a different space. There is an entire collecting culture around currency that remains untapped here,” Carandang explained.
The company’s auctions feature rare and historically significant items, such as the four reales coin, with a starting price of P2.5 million, and the eight reales, the first coin minted during the short-lived Iturbide Empire in Mexico. “That empire only lasted eight to 10 months. This coin represents Mexico’s fight for liberation,” Carandang noted.
Growing demand for Philippine coins from international collectors signals the market’s potential. “The Philippines is a melting pot of cultures. We were colonized by Spain, Japan, and the U.S., and we were part of the galleon trade with Mexico and China. This history is reflected in our currency,” she said.
Coins from the Spanish, American, and Japanese occupations, as well as British and Chinese coins that circulated in the country during early trade periods, are of particular interest to global collectors.
Minted MNL’s rise has been rapid. In its first full year of hosting auctions, it recorded P15 million in sales, surpassing its closest competitor which sold just P1 million. “Last year, we had about 1,500 attendees. This year, we’ve doubled that — 3,000 people registered,” Carandang said.
But the journey to this point has been long. Before Minted MNL, the numismatic community in the Philippines was scattered and informal. “Do you know where we used to trade coins? At Tropical Hut Hamburger, on the second floor. It wasn’t even a reserved space — we would just meet there, eat burgers, and trade,” she recalled.
While the community has grown, Carandang believes the industry is still in its infancy. “We see this market growing 10 to 20 times what it is now in the next five years,” she said.
One of the biggest concerns in any collectibles market is authenticity. To address this, Minted MNL only sells coins graded by the world’s top authentication bodies: PCGS Asia and Certified Collectibles Group (CCG). “They are the gold standard in authentication. There are smaller companies, but these two are the global leaders,” Carandang explained. This guarantees that every item in a Minted MNL auction is legitimate and of high quality, setting it apart from less-regulated sales in the region.
Carandang wants to educate and develop a new generation of collectors. Unlike many auction houses, Minted MNL does not sell directly through its social media platforms. Instead, it uses them to educate collectors on the historical and cultural significance of coins. “We want people to understand the story behind each piece, not just its price tag. Every coin has a history, and that’s what makes this hobby meaningful,” she said.
The company also hosts seminars and keeps an accessible price range for new collectors, offering items as low as P3,000 to P5,000 to encourage beginners. “We need to develop the hobby first. People have to learn how auctions work and why collecting is valuable,” she added.
Despite her role as an industry leader, Carandang remains a collector at heart. “My favorite coin is a 1977 Marcos gold coin, which is perfectly graded. At our last auction, it sold for P1.5 million,” she shared.
For her, the joy of collecting lies in discovering history through tangible artifacts. “Owning a coin is like holding a piece of history. That’s the magic of numismatics.”
With its growing reputation and ambitious goals, Minted MNL is not just shaping the local numismatic industry but creating a space for Filipino collectors on the global stage.
Minted MNL plans to increase auction volume, attract more international buyers, and further educate local collectors. “We are just getting started,” Carandang said. “The best is yet to come.”
Meanwhile, Minted MNL is hosting the Minted MNL Summer Show 2025 on March 8 to 9, 2025, at The Westin Manila Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. This highly anticipated event, the largest of its kind in the Philippines, will bring together collectors, industry leaders, and enthusiasts from across the region.
As the premier destination for the collecting community, Minted MNL has become known for record-breaking auctions, high-profile exhibits, and unparalleled attendance. The Summer Show 2025 will showcase a diverse range of collectibles, including coins, paper money, medals, tokens, trading cards, and antiques.
Attendees can look forward to seminars and educational programs, rare exhibits, and a bourse and auction. One of the highlights will be an exclusive auction featuring historical 19th-century items from Philippine revolutionary heroes and extremely rare 17th- and 18th-century coins in silver and gold.
