Panama 1973-FM 20 balboas

from the Stack's Bowers September 2023 Collector's Choice sale, lot 73552

This specimen was lot 73552 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $100. The catalog description^[1] noted, "PANAMA. Silver 20 Balboas, 1973-FM. Franklin Mint. PCGS 67 Deep Cameo. Brilliant proof fields and frosty devices. Large and impressive." This NCLT was issued 1972-76. Unfortunately, collecting Panamanian coins lost its popularity after the Franklin mint overissued proof sets and commemoratives in the 1970's and 1980's. For years, few Panamanian coins sold for more than melt.

Recorded mintage: 94,000 plus proofs but many melted.

Specification: 129.59 g, 0.925 fine silver, 61 mm diameter, 3.8538 ounces AGW.

Catalog reference: KM-31.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

Link to:

• 1971-FM 20 balboas, Bolivar
• 1973 2½ centesimos
• 1973 1/10 balboa
• 1973 balboa
• 1974-FM 20 balboas, Bolivar
• Coins and currency dated 1973