This is a commemorative note of 3000 piso celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Philippines's Supreme Court 1901 - 2026. The announcement for this new commemorative note was officially launched on 10 June 2026 and this note was released on 30 July 2026.
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the highest court in the country and it was established on 11 June 1901 by their former colonial master, the United States of America. The Supreme Court was established to replace the previous court known as the Real Audiencia of Manila which was established during the Spanish rule of the Philippines. Spain ruled the Philippines for 333 years from 1565 to 1898.
This is a one note series issue but sold in two different presentation folders. These notes are distributed by the Central Bank (BSP) and also by the Supreme Court (SC). Those that are released by the central bank come in a simple 'greeting' card type folder, whilst those released by the Supreme Court come in a more elegant hard cardboard version. I am not sure if there are any differences in the price between these two versions. Perhaps the version issued by the Supreme Court might be slightly more expensive because of the quality of the folder. The note that I have uploaded here came from the central bank. The Supreme Court version also comes with a Certificate of Authentication. However, the certificate lacks any reference number nor are they printed with the serial number that would match the banknote provided in the folder.
This note that I have posted here has a normal serial number of SC 135264 and was distributed by BSP. Presumably, the letters 'SC' stand for 'Supreme Court'. However, as for the serial number, if you rearrange them, it can read as SC 123456. Of course, this is just wishful thinking and if only I can get one!😎.
As this is a numismatic product celebrating a historical milestone event of the country's Supreme Court, the total quantity released is not known nor such information is available to the public. According to the bank's website, and I quote:-
According to BSP, the issue price is 3,600 piso per note. A seller in the US claimed that only 8,000 sets have been issued with the first note as SC 125001 (to 133000). This is not confirmed yet. Whilst I believe the restriction for 1 note per person is fair, however, such a restriction can only push up the secondary market price unless a reasonable quantity of this note is issued. In order to avoid this, I believe a quantity of say 20-30,000 sets would be fair, but I doubt this is the case given this is a high value banknote in the Philippines and only a percentage of the collectors population may only be interested in getting them, including numismatic dealers. Current market resale price is more than 8 times the official issue price, and this is just ridiculous to overseas collectors, just like the previous 5,000 piso commemorative note issued. I believe this 3,000 piso note selling price can only go further up later. Shouldn't such an important event be celebrated by the masses and not just for a few?
Whilst we have someone claiming that only 8,000 sets have been issued, I do not believe this is correct. Some people like to talk with hot air but with no substance. If the last serial note number was SC 133000. then the note that I have posted here with SC 135264 falls way outside the range of 8,000 pieces as claimed, unless the first note is not SC 125001. Furthermore, I have also sighted another note with serial numbers SC 135258 too. I also saw one in a wooden presentation case with the note in a plastic protected sleeve with the serial number of SC 000001. Are there any other notes that have been printed with special serial numbers too, like SC 000125 etc? What about specimens or even replacement notes, if any?
I was a bit disappointed when I first saw this note. As 3000 piso is considered as a high denomination banknote and since this is a non-circulating limited edition issue, I was expecting the size of this note much larger. To me, for this face value of a banknote, a large size note would be more appropriate, in my opinion.
My opinions on this commemorative banknote:-
1) Face value makes no sense to me. Perhaps one with 125-piso may be more appropriate;
2) The banknote's size is very ordinary to me for a face value of 3000-piso note. The length is fine but not the height;
3) Quantity issued is unknown and but should have issued more for the masses and not just for a few;
4) A better design for the folder would be better rather than just a simple 'greeting card' type;
5) This issue has created a 'piranha frenzy' demand situation with a secondary market asking price in excess of 8 times the issue price. This can only go up in the future.
This note is legal tender in the Philippines, but is not intended for general circulation.
Three Thousand Piso - Tatlong Libong Piso
Front - Chief Justice Cayetano Simplicio Arellano y Lonzón (b.1847-1920), the Philippines’ first Chief Justice. Cayetano Arellano was appointed to the Chief Justice role by William McKinley (b.1843-1901), the 25th President of the United States of America. It should be noted that the United States occupied the Philippines from 1898 to 1946 after Spain ceded the islands in the Treaty of Paris following the Spanish-American War, which was started by the United States. Cayetano Arellano served as the country's chief justice from 1901 to until his death in 1920 at the age of 73 years old.
In the background is an image of the historic Supreme Court Session Hall and the banknotes is printed with the text - SUPREME COURT EN BANC ORAL ARGUMENTS SESSION HALL, MANILA. The commemorative logo is printed in the center and to the center right are the Coat of Arms of the Philippines and the Central Bank of the Philippines.
Year - (1901-) 2026
Sizes - 160.5mm x 66mm
Quantity - Unknown (Limited edition)
Issue price - 3,600 piso per note, limited to one note per person (BSP)
Back - This is the first time the reverse is printed in a vertical format for a normal or commemorative note issued by the Philippines. The main features on the back is a standing Lady Justice (lustitia) in blindfold (fair to all and unbiased) holding a scale (weighting evidence and facts in a fair way) with her left hand, and a sword (power and law of the state) in her left hand. Next to her is the seal of the Supreme Court. Standing behind her is the Supreme Court New Building. The note also printed with the roster of all 27(**) Chief Justices who have led the Supreme Court from 1901 to 2026 (inclusive). As from the list, the first Chief Justice Cayetano Simplicio Arellano y Lonzón had held the Chief Justice role the longest for 19 years from 1901 to 1920. A tingling ribbon is floating from the top to the bottom of the note.
Below are the list of all names served as Chief Justice from 1901 to 2026
Victorino M Mapa, 1920-1921 (resigned poor health)
Manuel G Araullo, 1921-9124 (death)
Ramon Q Avancena, 1925-1941 (death)
Jose Abad Santos, 1941-1942 (captured and executed by Imperial Japanese Forces)
Jose Yulo, 1942-1944 (term ended)
Manuel V Moran, 1945-1951 (resigned to take up ambassador post to Spain and the Holy See)
Ricardo M Paras, 1951-1961 (retired)
Cesar Bengzon, 1961-1966 (retired)
Roberto R Concepcion, 1966-1973 (retired)
Querube C Makalintal, 1973-1975 (retired)
Fred Ruiz Castro, 1976-1979 (death)
Enrique M Fernando, 1979-1985 (resigned)
Felix V Makasiar, 1985-1985 (retired)
Ramon C Aquino, 1985-1986 (resigned)
Claudio Teehankee, 1986-1988 (retired)
Pedro L Yap, 1988-1988 (retired)
Marcelo B Fernan, 1988-1991 (resigned)
Andres R Narvasa, 1991-1998 (retired)
Hilario G Davide, Jr., 1998-2005 (retired)
Artemio V Panganiban, 2005-2007 (retired)
Reynato S Puno, 2007-2010 (retired)
Renato C Corona, 2010-2012 (sacked through impeachment and conviction)
Lucas P Bersamin, 2018-2019 (retired)
Diosdado M Peralta, 2019-2021 (early retirement)
Alexander G Gesmundo, 2021-2026 (term ending 6 November 2026)
The following text are printed inside the card folder:-
