Panamanian currency facts

http://www.therealpanamatours.com/blog-panama

Panamanian currency facts

7/11/2015

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.

1 Comment

Anabel

7/12/2015 01:21:12 pm

We really enjoyed out time with you! You are an excellent tour guide. You kept up with my dad and even added some new knowledge to him about Panama

Author

I am Sorhay Mariel, a former journalist (with college education but no degree), nature lover, a dreamer, a passionate woman that wants to show the world my beautiful, colorful, at times loud but amazing country.

I have life experiences and because of my previous jobs I know a little bit about how stressful a day could be.

I decided to reinvent myself, go the other way and simply live the rest of my life with the least amount of worries and doing something that I care about,something that is coming from my heart and it doesn't feel like work... and I found it... Now, I share my passion and love for my country and it comes natural to me.

I enjoy every minute talking to other people, learning about their personal stories and culture, understanding theirs and our own way of living.

After 13 years living abroad it was time to come back to the land were I was born and raised and rediscover those places that I knew when I was little.

I was amazed by the modern side of Panama city which turned us in the skycrapers capital of Latinamerica.

I have what it takes to pursue my dream: motivation, knowledge, passion, energy, good people working with me (not for me) and love for my very own PANAMA.

Los viajes son en la juventud una parte de educación y, en la vejez, una parte de experiencia.Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626) Filósofo y estadista británico)

In loving memory of the best man I have ever known: my stepfather Ricardo Hall... We will always remember you!

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