Panama 5 Balboas Silver Coin

In 1970, on the occasion of the 11th Central American and Caribbean Games, comes this commemorative coin celebrating the sport of discus. This design has a very Greek or Roman feel to it as it shows a discus player as he readies his throw. This is a beautiful design that looks great on this .925 silver coin. 

 

Key features: 

• Composed of .925 silver 
• Celebrating the 11th Central American and Caribbean Games
• Face value of 5 Balboas legal tender of Panama
• Obverse side has Panama’s National Coat of Arms 
• The reverse side of the coin has a discus thrower readying his throw

 

The 11th Central American and Caribbean Games was a momentous occasion for Panama as they were hosting the games which, like the Olympics, are held every four years. Also, like the Olympics, these games are a multi-sport regional championship event. One of these sports is the discus. The discus goes back to the first Olympics and has a rich history of competitions. Not many sports can trace back that many years. One way the sport has changed from its origins is that the contestants wear clothes today when they compete. It is well documented that going back to at least the 8th Olympic games, all contestants performed in the nude. That is why the reverse side of this design shows the man readying his disc as being completely nude.

 

The obverse side of this coin has the Panama National Coat of Arms. Above these arms is ‘REPUBLICA DE PANAMA’. Below the image is ‘5 BALBOAS’.

 

The reverse has the image of a discus thrower winding up. He is depicted here nude as the early discus competitors performed nude with no protection whatsoever. They did this in many dangerous sports like wrestling. It is unclear why they performed this way but multiple drawings and journals attest that they indeed did not wear clothes while competing. This design is beautiful and reminiscent of Greek and Roman sculptures. Above the thrower are what looks like three discs and a javelin piercing all three discs. Around the image is ‘JUEGOS DE PORTIVOS CENTROAMERICANOS  Y DEL CARIBE’ which is Spanish for Central American and Caribbean Sports Games’. Below that is ‘PANAMA 1970. 

 

The Panama 5 Balboas Silver Coin is a great commemorative coin capturing the excitement over these games that were held only every four years and Panama was chosen to host them. This is a great design that looks great on the .925 silver coin. Get yours today.