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.  
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.

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