Offered here is a 1973 Panama 1/2 Balboa (Medio Balboa), KM# 12b, showing the helmeted bust of the explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa on one side and the coat of arms of the Republic of Panama on the other. 1973 is the first year of the copper-nickel clad half balboa; the 1966-1972 issues were 40% silver clad, and earlier ones 90% silver. Regular-issue mintage was 1,000,000 (Numista).

Condition: Extremely Fine (XF). Light wear on the high points of the helmet, cheek and beard, with the ruff collar, armor bands and coat-of-arms details still sharp. Both sides show attractive natural toning: iridescent rainbow tones of rose, violet, blue and gold over the fields and devices, strongest around REPUBLICA DE PANAMA and the eagle on the arms side and across the helmet and right field on the portrait side. There are scattered light hairlines and small contact marks in the fields and on the helmet and shield, and a couple of small dark spots on the rim (at about 3 o'clock and near the bottom of the portrait side). Please see the photos, which are the best description.

Composition: copper-nickel clad copper (not silver)
Weight / diameter: 11.34 g / 30.61 mm
Catalog: KM# 12b
Grade: ungraded (raw)

The coin shown is the exact coin you will receive.

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