Panamanian currency facts

When you work in tourism every single day is totally different. 
Last week, for example,  I met a  mexican american family of 9.  I truly enjoy them every minute . 
The head of the family was a 69 years old man,  Mr. Alex, an open-walking history book and a numismatic expert, a person  that study and collects currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects.
Walking through the Paseo Esteban Huertas at Casco Viejo we found a coin collection from 1904. Mr. Alex already had it but he stopped to chat with the vendor about other items displayed.
When you work in tourism every single day is totally different. 
Last week, for example,  I met a  mexican american family of 9. I truly enjoy them every minute . ​  ​

The head of the family was a 69 years old man,  Mr. Alex, an open-walking history book and a numismatic expert, a person  that study and collects currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects.
Walking through the Paseo Esteban Huertas at Casco Viejo we found a coin collection from 1904. Mr. Alex already had it but he stopped to chat with the vendor about other items displayed.  
Listening to that interesting conversation I learned about "the pill" (la píldora) from 1904 and I did a further research.
 Here are some facts that I gathered:
- Panama made the first coins back in 1904 right after we separated from Colombia. The denominations were  2½, 5, 10, 25 y 50 cents, all silver.   They were mint  in the US

- In 1931 appeared the first Balboa coin mint in Panama. The material of this coins was  90.9% silver. 
-  In 1966, Panama followed the U.S. in changing the composition of their silver coins, with copper-nickel clad 1⁄10 and ¼ balboa, and .400 fineness ½ balboa. 1 balboa coins, at .900 fineness silver, were issued that year for the first time since 1947
- Panama had the highest denomination coin in the world in the 70´s. It was the 20 balboas denomination coin.
- Emphasizing our Panama  treasures,  flora  and wildlife, a 500 balboas gold coin was mint in 1979.
 - In 1982 a $20 gold coin was made as well.
-  In addition to the circulating issues, commemorative coins with denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, and 500 balboas have been issued.
Wow.. . there is so much information about this.
I have to admit that I passed many times in front of this vendor  in this old town built in 1670´s but for the first time I realize how knowledgeable  he is when it comes to currency. 
Every day I learn something new and I am loving it.

Thanks Mr. Alex... It was a pleasure to meet you and your lovely family from Santa María California.