Expert: Brad Swain - 3/13/2010

Question
I found a coin that has vn blaboa with a man on the front and a ship on the back.  It looks like it went on a necklace. There is not a date on it.  I was wondering if this was anything of importance.  Or maybe some history on it.

Thanks,
Angie

Answer
Hi Angie, this sounds like a jewelry replica of a Panama 1 Balboa coin. No ship design was used and a date would be on the other side of a genuine coin as well. If genuine, it would weigh the same as a U.S. silver dollar and contain over 3/4 ounce of silver.
Pictures of the genuine pieces can be found here:
http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/Panama.php
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad