Description
This is a brilliant uncirculated but once brushed, silver, "Medio" or Half Balboa, worth Fifty Centesimos, from the "Republic of Panama". A single year “Commemorative” issue, it was struck in 1953 to celebrate the "Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of the Republic".
Weight: 12.44 Grams, 30 Millimeters, .900 Silver. Mintage: 600,000.
"Standard Catalog of World Coins" (1901-2000) by Krause-Mishler. #20.
![](https://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/0/1/2/7/5/2/webimg/1146208630_o.jpg)
Obverse: MEDIO • BALBOA • CINCUENTENARIO • Fiftieth Anniversary. • Vasco Núñez de Balboa in armor with a conquistador helmet and ruffled collar.
When Balboa, in September of 1513 first sighted the “South Sea”, as he named it, he was in an area of the Panama Isthmus that runs east-west. To his north was the Caribbean Sea and to his south was the Pacific Ocean, as we now call it. He was the first European to see it.
Theodore Roosevelt had decided the United States needed a canal through the isthmus of Panama but the Columbians, which Panama was part of at the time, were driving a hard bargain. So.... In 1903 Panama declared itself independent of Columbia and was instantly recognized by, and signed a treaty with, the United States to build the canal.
![](https://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/0/1/2/7/5/2/webimg/1146208633_o.jpg)
Reverse: REPUBLICA DE PANAMA • LEY • 0.900 • GR • 12.50 • 1953 • Panama’s arms with PRO MUNDI BENEFICIO For the Benefit of the World – on the Ribbon.
Start at sea level, then climb 375 feet up a mountain and plant a flag. Walk 1800 feet, (6 football fields) slightly downhill, to a point still 325 feet high and plant another flag. Then get out your shovel and dig down to zero from both flags, and make your ditch 60 yards across at the zero level. Now, do that for the next NINE MILES. That's what it took to dig the tough part of the Panama Canal.
Work on the canal, which began in 1881, was completed in 1914, making it no longer necessary for ships to sail the lengthy Cape Horn route around the southernmost tip of South America or to navigate the dangerous waters of the Strait of Magellan. One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, the Panama Canal shortcut made it possible for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in half the time previously required.
The Coin: A lustrous, bright, uncirculated example that someone lightly brushed, leaving hairlines on both sides. As grading is subjective, please see the pictures and judge for yourself.
Remember, FREE SHIPPING!
Weight: 12.44 Grams, 30 Millimeters, .900 Silver. Mintage: 600,000.
"Standard Catalog of World Coins" (1901-2000) by Krause-Mishler. #20.
![](https://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/0/1/2/7/5/2/webimg/1146208630_o.jpg)
Obverse: MEDIO • BALBOA • CINCUENTENARIO • Fiftieth Anniversary. • Vasco Núñez de Balboa in armor with a conquistador helmet and ruffled collar.
When Balboa, in September of 1513 first sighted the “South Sea”, as he named it, he was in an area of the Panama Isthmus that runs east-west. To his north was the Caribbean Sea and to his south was the Pacific Ocean, as we now call it. He was the first European to see it.
Theodore Roosevelt had decided the United States needed a canal through the isthmus of Panama but the Columbians, which Panama was part of at the time, were driving a hard bargain. So.... In 1903 Panama declared itself independent of Columbia and was instantly recognized by, and signed a treaty with, the United States to build the canal.
![](https://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/0/1/2/7/5/2/webimg/1146208633_o.jpg)
Reverse: REPUBLICA DE PANAMA • LEY • 0.900 • GR • 12.50 • 1953 • Panama’s arms with PRO MUNDI BENEFICIO For the Benefit of the World – on the Ribbon.
Start at sea level, then climb 375 feet up a mountain and plant a flag. Walk 1800 feet, (6 football fields) slightly downhill, to a point still 325 feet high and plant another flag. Then get out your shovel and dig down to zero from both flags, and make your ditch 60 yards across at the zero level. Now, do that for the next NINE MILES. That's what it took to dig the tough part of the Panama Canal.
Work on the canal, which began in 1881, was completed in 1914, making it no longer necessary for ships to sail the lengthy Cape Horn route around the southernmost tip of South America or to navigate the dangerous waters of the Strait of Magellan. One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, the Panama Canal shortcut made it possible for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in half the time previously required.
The Coin: A lustrous, bright, uncirculated example that someone lightly brushed, leaving hairlines on both sides. As grading is subjective, please see the pictures and judge for yourself.
Remember, FREE SHIPPING!
Payment
I ship the day after cleared payment. Payment in US funds only please. Returns: Accepted, in original condition, in most cases and encouraged if the item has been misdescribed.
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If you need more than one week from the close of the sale to make payment, that is not generally a problem, PLEASE, JUST LET ME KNOW when you expect to pay. If No payment and No contact is made, eBay will CANCEL THE SALE on the eighth day.
Shipping
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All items will be insured, at no extra cost.
International shipments will also be insured at no extra cost to most countries.
International Buyers ? Please Note:
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
I SHIP THE DAY AFTER CLEARED PAYMENT!
Shipping OUT OF THE USA will be at POSTAGE COST as determined by the eBay calculator for your location (see the shipping tab above) - NOTHING Extra Added!
All items will be insured, at no extra cost.
International shipments will also be insured at no extra cost to most countries.
International Buyers ? Please Note:
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
I SHIP THE DAY AFTER CLEARED PAYMENT!
About Us
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I try to start auctions for as low a starting price as I can, and still break even. There are eBay, PayPal and Postage fees to cover. Minimum bid normally represents at least a decent value.
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I try to start auctions for as low a starting price as I can, and still break even. There are eBay, PayPal and Postage fees to cover. Minimum bid normally represents at least a decent value.
I believe you have completed your part of the agreement when you pay me, so I LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK WHEN I SHIP THE ITEM. I appreciate return feedback if you feel I have earned it.
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I will try to respond to email questions within one day. Please ask any questions about the item, or other special requests BEFORE you bid.