½ Balboa

Features

Issuer	Panama
Period	Republic (1903-date)
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1966-1993
Value	½ Balboa ½ PAB = USD 0.50
Currency	Balboa (1904-date)
Composition	Billon (.400 silver) (Copper .600)
Weight	11.5 g
Diameter	30.6 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Number	N# 7526
References	KM# 12a Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).

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Obverse

Panamanian coat of arms with 9 stars above. Name of the country above, wreath and date below.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
REPVBLICA - DE - PANAMA
PRO MVNDI BENEFICIO
1970

Translation:
Republic of Panama
For the Benefit of the World

Reverse

Armoured bust with helmet of Vasco Núñez de Balboa facing left surrounded by value in letters and wreath. The bust touches the rim below.

Script: Latin

Lettering: MEDIO BALBOA

Translation: Half Balboa

Edge

Reeded

Mints

	Royal Canadian Mint of Ottawa, Canada (1908-date)
	United States Mint of Denver, United States (1906-date)
	United States Mint of San Francisco, United States (1854-date)

Comments

Balboa was a Spaniard, first European who crossed the Isthmus, reached the Pacific by land and discovered the Perlas Archipelago (1513). The 9 stars represent the 9 provinces of the country at that time (there are now 10).

Since its separation from Colombia in 1903, Panama has used the United States Dollar. These coins have the same specifications as the United States Half Dollar and circulated alongside it.

The actual composition of this coin is a .200 Silver core which is clad by .800 Silver.

For the 1970 circulation issue, 306,000 were minted in 1970 and 294,000 were minted in 1971.

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Date	Mintage	VF	XF	AU	UNC	References		Frequency
Undetermined
1966	1 000 000	$ 6.00	$ 7.70	$ 11	$ 11	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	Royal Canadian Mint	43%
1966	13 000				$ 16	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	Royal Canadian Mint; Proof	3%
1966						KM# 12a.2 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	Error: Type II helmet rim incomplete)	2%
1967	300 000	$ 4.00	$ 9.50			KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	San Francisco Mint	14%
1967	12 701				$ 7.40	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	San Francisco Mint; Proof	5%
1968	1 000 000	$ 6.20	$ 9.20	$ 12	$ 13	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	San Francisco Mint	26%
1968	43 193				$ 14	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	San Francisco; Proof	5%
1969	14 000				$ 14	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	San Francisco Mint; Proof	4%
1970	610 000	$ 5.80	$ 9.20	$ 11	$ 13	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	San Francisco Mint	19%
1970	9 528				$ 19	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	San Francisco Mint; Proof	5%
1971 (1972)	10 696				$ 16	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	San Francisco Mint; Minted in 1972; Proof	4%
1972 (1973)	13 000				$ 15	KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	San Francisco Mint; Minted in 1973; Proof	6%
1993						KM# 12a.1 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).	Proof, not authorized	1.1%

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Members from this site want to exchange it: AB Coins, zdravko, meerma, ARiley, NowWhyHow, Terrazone, squash70, sangriablanca, Cody404, landycollector, mad, PesPoisonFisch, Manowar7, FindingCoins1, SteveV, BasicPS, CanBird81, Emirsky, georginag, Jaime Tovar, waltbert, CLELIO, lirst, pedro1787, brassow, crfrans2, RGormanJr, Capn_Poncho, Kartelrand

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Numista Rarity index: 10 Search tips

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 10.13 Search tips

This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of billon at 0 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Actual billon weight: 0.148 oz

Current billon price: 0.00 USD/oz

Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Sold price
	Katz Auction 196 Lot 1962	29 May 2026	1968 – KM# 12a.1 – San Francisco Mint	UNC	USD 30.03 (EUR 26.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 136 Lot 3741	28 Aug 2024	1968 – KM# 12a.1 – San Francisco Mint	XF	USD 8.09 (EUR 7.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 161 Lot 2530	18 Jun 2025	1969 – KM# 12a.1 – San Francisco Mint; Proof	UNC	USD 38.12 (EUR 33.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 194 Lot 1425	15 May 2026	1970 – KM# 12a.1 – San Francisco Mint	UNC	USD 12.71 (EUR 11.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 84 Lot 1291	27 May 2023	1970 – KM# 12a.1 – San Francisco Mint; Proof	UNC	USD 64.68 (EUR 56.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 188 Lot 2539	27 Mar 2026	Undetermined	UNC	USD 10.40 (EUR 9.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.