Panama 1975-FM 5 centesimos

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This five centésimos with the bust of Carlos Finlay was struck by the Franklin mint 1975-82. Wikipedia comments, "Carlos Juan Finlay (December 3, 1833 – August 20, 1915) was a Cuban epidemiologist recognized as a pioneer in the research of yellow fever, determining that it was transmitted through mosquitoes Aedes aegypti." Altho the SCWC prices this coin in worn condition, we are skeptical that any actually circulated as five million of the regular issue five centésimos (KM 23.1) was also issued in 1975.

Recorded mintage: 137,410 in various finishes.

Specification: 5 g, copper-nickel, 21.2 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 35.1.

Sources:

• 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.

Link to:

• 1975 centésimo
• 1975 5 centésimos, regular issue
• 1975 balboa
• 1975 100 balboas
• 1975 500 balboas, Birth of Balboa
• Coins and currency dated 1975