I've always had an interest in central and south American coinage. I don't have a huge collection of them but I generally try to pick them up when it's a good deal. Panama is one country that I really don't have much collected, but I do have this nice Medio Balboa (medio meaning one half.)
Vasco Núñez de Balboa was a Spanish explorer and conquistador. He was born in about 1475 in Spain and was executed in 1519 as a usurper to the throne. Interestingly his first solo venture was as a planter and pig farmer in Hispaniola but failed miserably and ended up in debt. To escape the creditors he escaped as as stowaway on a ship and through some luck rose to the office of mayor in Santa María la Antigua del Darién, in present day Colombia. He then began his conquest of native tribes in search of treasures for Spain. He was the first European to discover the Pacific Ocean and conquered Panama. After his extensive plundering and conquering his demise came from a rival Pedro Arias who had him arrested and tried as a usurper to his power and the Spanish throne. Then shortly after had him beheaded. Despite his early death he is a respected figure in Panama even having the currency named after him.
Enough history, here's the coin:
photos mine
About the coin:
Denomination: One half Balboa
Country: Panama
Composition: 40% silver
Weight: 11.5 grams
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Obverse: National coat of arms
Reverse: Balboa
Edge: Reeded
These are great coins to add to any collection or stack. Although only 40 percent silver they are still silver. Sometimes you can find these with descent premiums, but as of late it seems like anything silver has high premiums. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to ask questions or leave comments below.
And please remember that collecting coins and stacking gold/silver is a great hobby but definitely not for everyone. You can lose money and you have to research before you make any purchase. Before you spend your hard earned money always do your due diligence by researching what you are buying. I am not a financial advisor and this isn't financial advice, I'm just a guy who loves coins and gold/silver stacking!
References:
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasco_N%C3%BA%C3%B1ez_de_Balboa