2½ Centésimos "Panama Pill"

Features

Issuer Panama
Period Republic (1903-date)
Type Standard circulation coin
Year 1904 (1905)
Value 2½ Centesimos (2½ centésimos) (0.025 PAB)
Currency Balboa (1904-date)
Composition Silver (.900) (Copper .100)
Weight 1.25 g
Diameter 10 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized 31 August 1930
Number
N#
20590
References KM# 1
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
And 5 more volumes.

Series: 1904 series

Obverse

Portrait of Vasco Núñez de Balboa facing left. Name of the country above, date below.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
REPUBLICA DE PANAMA
DIOS LEY LIBERTAD
BALBOA
1904

Translation:
Republic of Panama
God and Freedom

Reverse

Coat of Arms with seven stars above. Value in letters and silver content around.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
DOS Y MEDIO CENTESIMOS DE BALBOA
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
PRO MUNDI BENEFICIO
G.1.25 LEY 0.900

Translation:
Two and a Half Centesimos of a Balboa
For the Benefit of the World
1.25 Grams 0.900 Purity

Edge

Reeded

Mint

United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States (1792-date)

Comments

Balboa was a Spaniard, first European who crossed the Isthmus, reached the Pacific by land and discovered the Perlas Archipelago (1513). The seven stars represent the seven provinces of the country at that time (there are now ten).
This coin is the smallest ever minted in the USA, thus its nickname "Panamá pill". It was needed to make the 12.5 cents = 1 real of the former hispano-american monetary system, when added to a 10 cents coin.

See also

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Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
1904 (1905)  Photo 400 000 $ 19 $ 23 $ 32 $ 50 Minted in 1905

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.

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Country: Colombia
Languages: English Spanish
Numista Rarity index: 27 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 0.89 Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 793 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Grade Sold price
Picture 1 of a sold 2½ Centésimos ("Panama Pill")Picture 1 of a sold 2½ Centésimos ("Panama Pill")Picture 1 of a sold 2½ Centésimos ("Panama Pill")Picture 1 of a sold 2½ Centésimos ("Panama Pill")
Heritage Auctions
Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232344
Lot 61489
Internet Archive
26 Oct 2023 UNC
(PCGS MS63)
USD 119.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2½ Centésimos ("Panama Pill")Picture 1 of a sold 2½ Centésimos ("Panama Pill")
Heritage Auctions
Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232138
Lot 64539
Internet Archive
22 Sep 2021 UNC
(NGC MS65)
USD 156.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2½ Centésimos ("Panama Pill")
Katz
Auction 69
Lot 3131
Internet Archive
29 Oct 2022 XF USD 22.70
(EUR 21.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
See the sales

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