Panama City took its place on the world’s athletic stage as it never had before in the year 1970, when the city hosted the 11th Central American and Caribbean Games. The oldest multi-sport championship to function as a kind of “qualifier” for the great contest of the Olympic Games themselves, this regional championship had grown steadily since its first edition in 1926, when it featured athletes from just three nations. Just over four decades later it was a massive undertaking that brought together nearly 2,100 athletes from 20 nations to compete in 16 different sports. The official commemorative coin that the Republic of Panama commissioned for the occasion, struck by the Franklin Mint and designed by the U.S. Mint’s then-Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts, has gone on to become a famous sterling silver collectible. The 1970 Proof 5 Balboas Silver Coin is now available from Provident Metals.

Coin Highlights:

• Arrives in a secure plastic flip-top container!
• Issued in 1970 to commemorate the 11th Central American and Caribbean Games!
• A limited modern supply comes from the original exclusive mintage of just 59,000 coins worldwide!
• Contains 35.7 grams (just over 1 Troy oz) of.925 Sterling Silver.
• Bears a face value of 5 Balboas backed by the Republic of Panama.
• The obverse side features Panama’s national coat of arms.
• The reverse field features theEl Discoboloengraving by Gilroy Roberts.

The 1970 Proof 5 Balboas Silver Coin was struck in Pennsylvania in the United States at the Franklin Mint, using sophisticated minting techniques that provided it with a proof-quality cameo finish, mirrored fields accentuating the frosted details on its raised design elements. Each coin ships fully insured by Provident Metals and arrives in a protective plastic flip-top container. There remains a limited supply of these extraordinary commemorative pieces from the already-limited original mintage of just 59,000 coins, so you’ll want to order early to be sure of adding one of these to your collection.

Obverse

The Republic of Panama’s coat of arms features on the coin’s obverse side, confirming it as legal tender. It is accompanied by the lettering “REPUBLICA DE PANAMA,” “PRO MUNDI BENEFICIO,” “LEY 0.925 FM” and “5 BALBOAS.”

Reverse

Based on the lines and style of ancient Greek statuary, Gilroy Roberts’ engravingEl Discobolo(“The Discus-Thrower”) dominates the coin’s reverse side. It’s accompanied by the lettering “XI JUEGOS DEPORTIVOS CENTRO AMERICANOS Y DEL CARIBE” and “PANAMA 1970.”

History

The Central American and Caribbean Games originated in their early days as simply the Central American Games. They were an initiative of the Mexican Olympic Society, creating a multi-sport event that would help Central American countries develop a more competitive pool of talent. With the support of Cuba and Guatemala, Mexican delegates Alfredo Cuellar and Enrique Aguirre successfully negotiated with the International Olympic Committee: the resulting games in 1926 were the first of their kind to be endorsed by the IOC.

Ordering

Reach out to the team at Provident Metals today to learn more about any of the items in our marketplace. Call us at 800-313-3315, talk with an agent at our online live chat, or send us an e-mail.