½ Balboa


Billon (.400 silver) (Copper .600)	11.5 g	30.6 mm

Description

Issuer	Panama
Period	Republic (1903-date)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1966-1993
Value	½ Balboa ½ PAB = USD 0.50
Currency	Balboa (1904-date)
Composition	Billon (.400 silver) (Copper .600)
Weight	11.5 g
Diameter	30.6 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Updated	2024-10-07

References

Numista	N#7526
Rarity index	12%

Reverse

Armoured bust with helmet of Vasco Núñez de Balboa facing left surrounded by value in letters and wreath. The bust touches the rim below.

Script: Latin

Lettering: MEDIO BALBOA

Translation: Half Balboa

Edge

Reeded

Comment

Balboa was a Spaniard, first European who crossed the Isthmus, reached the Pacific by land and discovered the Perlas Archipelago (1513). The 9 stars represent the 9 provinces of the country at that time (there are now 10).

Since its separation from Colombia in 1903, Panama has used the United States Dollar. These coins have the same specifications as the and circulated alongside it.

The actual composition of this coin is a .200 Silver core which is clad by .800 Silver.

For the 1970 circulation issue, 306,000 were minted in 1970 and 294,000 were minted in 1971.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the ½ Balboa coin from Panama is that it was made of a unique alloy called Billon, which consists of 40% silver and 60% copper. This makes it stand out from other coins that are typically made of a single metal or a different alloy composition.