It is the strong love for country that rouses people to fight for independence, aspire for inclusive growth, and strive for the sustainable development of a nation. In this regard, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in partnership with the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo, celebrates the 125^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood, through the exhibit, Minting the Revolution, Forging a Nation: Highlights from the BSP Numismatic Collection. Featured are images of coins and banknotes that chronicle the storied past of the Filipinos’ struggle, hope, victory, and independence.

Patriotism inspires the BSP to go beyond its role of steward of the economy. The institution honors Philippine history and cultural identity through commemorative notes and coins (CNCs) and medals, displaying significant events, heroes, landmarks, advocacies, and other milestones of national importance. All of which remind us of who we are, what we have accomplished, and what we can achieve as a people. Not only are CNCs and medals tangible markers of history but also exquisite pieces of cultural treasure.

The exhibit focuses on forging symbols of the nation’s identity, reflected in the numismatic collection of the BSP. The communicative role of numismatics is best characterized using semiotics or the study of symbols and their meanings. Money or currency, which bears symbols and identifiers of a nation’s shared heritage, demarcates boundaries and territories, yet they, too, serve as connectors that create a sense of community. They provide a route, resulting in an established order and system. The forms and variations of the numismatic collection highlight how symbols delivered messages of a revolution and how the interplay of these representations developed national pride and consciousness.