Panama 1934 1/2 balboa
This specimen was lot 1997 in Classical Numismatic Group's auction of the Richard Lissner collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $205.70. The catalog description[1] noted, "PANAMA, Republic. 1903-pres. AR 1/2 Balboa. Philadelphia mint. Dated 1934. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 63. Lightly toned and good strike over very lustrous surfaces. Highest graded specimen." The year 1904 inaugurated coinage for the newly independent Panamanian republic. In the original system, one balboa = 2 U.S. dollars, and 2½ centesimos, 5 centesimos, 25 centesimos and 50 centesimos were struck to this standard 1904-16. In 1930, the system was reorganized and one balboa = one dollar and all new types issued. This specimen was struck in the United States for Panama using half dollar blanks. The type was issued 1930-34 and 1947, which last is the only reasonably common date.
Recorded mintage: 90,000.
Specification: 12.5 g, 0.900 fine silver, 30 mm diameter, reeded edge, this specimen Ø30 mm, 12.55 g, 6h axis.
Catalog reference: KM 12.1; Y 15.
- Altz, Charles G., and E. H. Barton, Foreign Coins Struck at United States Mints, Racine, WI: Whitman Publishing, 1965.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Robinson, Charles, The Coins of Central America, 1733-1965, San Benito, TX: 1965.
- Stickney, Brian, A Monetary History of Central America, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2017.
- [1]Teller, M. Louis, and Victor England, Jr., The Richard Lissner Collection, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, 2014.
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