The Silliman University was founded in 1901 by protestant missionaries as a small Christian institution. At the very beginning of the establishment, the institution was limited to only boys and its operations started through donations from businessmen and Christian organizations.

As the institution grew larger, girls were admitted to join the classes and the National Assembly of the Philippines passed a law establishing requirements from educational institutions to qualify for university status. For more than a century, the Silliman University has been upholding the vision of final embodiment as a leading Christian education institution of higher education in Asia, committed to total human development for social and environmental well being.

The Centennial Commemorative Coin is minted to celebrate the school and as a symbol of quality education and well-principled goals of the Silliman University.