Panama 1983-FM 5 balboas

Jesus Vico auction 143, part of lot 1090

This denomination was first used for large silver commemoratives in 1970 and the Franklin Mint issued all of them until 1985. 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. We don't know why the Franklin Mint, having gone to the trouble of designing and marketing such an impressive silver coin, chose to use 0.500 fine silver. This only speeded up the tarnishing process.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 23.33 g, 0.500 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-91.

Source:

• 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:

• 1979-FM 5 balboas, Belisario Porras
• Panama 1983 centesimo
• 1983 5 centésimos
• 1983 1/10 balboa
• 1983 ¼ balboa
• 1983 20 balboas, Simon Bolivar
• 1983 100 balboas
• 1983 500 balboas, Owl butterfly
• 1984 500 balboas, Golden Eagle
• Coins and currency dated 1983