Panama 1974 balboa
This specimen was lot 34444 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2024), where it sold for $528. The catalog description[1] noted, "PANAMA. Balboa, 1974. San Francisco Mint. PCGS PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo. A nearly flawless proof representative, this handsome balboa delivers a crisp distinction between device and field, with no appreciable marks, tone, or haze." This type was issued 1966-74, tho only the 1966 was issued for circulation. In 1930, the currency was reformed and one balboa = one dollar and all new types issued. The United States mint struck coins for Panama using U. S. blanks. Unfortunately, collecting Panamanian coins lost its popularity after the Franklin mint overissued proof sets and commemoratives in the 1970's and 1980's.
Recorded mintage: 30,000 proofs.
Specification: 26.73 g, 0.900 fine silver, 38.1 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-27.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Stickney, Brian, A Monetary History of Central America, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2017.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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