Jester's Challenge #164

1jester

Welcome to Jester's Challenge, an interactive history lesson.

Inspired by many others here on the Darkside forum, I'd like to present what I hope will turn into a great learning experience for all of us. Many members on this World and Ancient Coin Forum have done a formidable job of sharing with us many fascinating and historically important coins. Since looking at coins is also one of my greatest pleasures, I'd like to try to follow in that time-honored tradition and submit for your pleasure and entertainment some world coins I've come across in my short lifetime.

I will pick out a coin on a regular basis, and post it along with the challenge to you to name the coin, its provenance, denomination, metallic content, mintage, any distinguishing characteristics or noteworthy features, and its value. The more information, the better. I'd like as many people as possible to participate, regardless of how little knowledge you might have on the subject. I appreciate comments on every aspect of the coin, including its history, or its role in human history, or info on similar coins in its series, etc. I myself don't presume to know 1/1000 of what you collectively know, hence my challenge to all of you to share your knowledge with the rest of us. Hopefully this exercise will encourage thought, discussion, and most importantly, more friendship.

Thanks for your participation!!!

Here is the one hundred sixty-fourth selection:

newsman

Panama, 1/2 balboa 1953, celebrating the 50th anniversary of independence.

A timely selection, Jester, considering that the 100th anniversary is coming up Monday.

oldshep

Love those Balboa designed Panama coins - I grab them anytime they come available - actually that is the only slabbed coin I own.
Shep

1jester

Newsman, I wasn't aware of that anniversary date. What's foremost on my mind for Monday is seeing if my deadbeat clients have transferred money into my account yet!! So I wasn't really thinking about my birth country's anniversary.

newsman

<< <i>Newsman, I wasn't aware of that anniversary date. What's foremost on my mind for Monday is seeing if my deadbeat clients have transferred money into my account yet!! So I wasn't really thinking about my birth country's anniversary.

>>



Judging from the story I got from our folks down there, it looks to be a big party. As for those deadbeat clients, sounds like they need a visit from my cousin, Big Lenny.

1jester

I like this coin's nice, frosty luster. And the design!

Newman, I might have to borrow your cousin Big Lenny.

Bruce

Jester you have some very fine coins!

1jester

Thank you sir! You do too, and you have tons of world coins that I couldn't dream of coming near.