Is the "Panama Pill" a 1 year type?

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by MontCollector, Nov 18, 2017.

  1. MontCollector

    MontCollector Well-Known Member

    The title says it all....and is probably a dumb question. But I am a little confused on these.

    I know the 1904 2 1/2 centesimos coin is silver and called a Panama Pill. Are the later date non silver ones also referred to as this?

    Just wanted to clarify this BEFORE I started calling all Panama 2 1/2 centesimos coins this.

    Thanks...Mont.
     
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  3. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    To my knowledge, only the 1904 issue (the tiny silver piece) has this nickname.

    The later (copper-nickel) issues were bigger, and therefore not so "pill-like".
     
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  4. Galen59

    Galen59 Gott helfe mir

    They are so tiny and that is why they are so hard to come by.. 1.25 grams .900 fine
    400,000 mint so my guess is less than 10,000 left, maybe , ..
     
  5. MontCollector

    MontCollector Well-Known Member

    Thanks for this. While I did know they were copper-nickel, I didn't know the later ones were bigger.

    I have found the 1904 Panama Pill on Numista...but can't seem to find a 1907 or later one. In fact the only way I found any info on any Panama 2 1/2 centesimos is by searching Numista for Panama Pill.
     
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  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

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  7. Hiddendragon

    Hiddendragon World coin collector

    I have this 1975 copper-nickel. It's pretty dang small. You can see it here in a dime-sized 2x2. 1975 panama 2.5 centavos.jpg
     
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  8. Oldhoopster

    Oldhoopster Member of the ANA since 1982

    You piqued my interest so I looked it up in Krause. They note that the 1904 is known as the "Panama Pill or Panama Pearl" and is one smallest SILVER coins. Panama also minted a small 2 1/2 Centisimos in CuNi from 1975-82 As posted above by @Hiddendragon . No diameter was listed, but based on the pictures (sometimes it's risky to make assumptions based on Krause's recent track record for accuracy) it looks to be the same size.

    I guess I learned something today and it is almost Noon, so I think I earned myself a beer :hungover:
     
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  9. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    I was unfamiliar with this 1975 CuNi issue. Interesting.

    Perhaps it was made with some intention to cash in on the Panama Pill's popularity? It seems to be a proof, so not something made for circulation. That Victoriano Lorenzo fella looks a little like Ronald Reagan, if you squint at him just right.
     
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  10. Hiddendragon

    Hiddendragon World coin collector

    I did get this as part of a proof set. I doubt they ever circulated.

    Somehow I suspect this guy and Reagan probably had different political philosophies, however.
     
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  11. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Yeah, I had to look him up.
     
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  12. Oldhoopster

    Oldhoopster Member of the ANA since 1982

    I think your right on that one. Krause lists prices for circulated pieces, but there are also a lot of lines for mint and proof specimens.

    Does that earn me another beer??
     
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  13. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Careful with those beers, or you'll end up sporting a collection of colorized plastic "Hello Kitty versus Godzilla" medallions after a frenzied buying spree.
     
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  14. Galen59

    Galen59 Gott helfe mir

    I've had a fascination, that's were I was posted there I've got an MS version of most everything but alas always missing a few.
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2017
  15. Galen59

    Galen59 Gott helfe mir

    Good beer and I want to retire there!
     
  16. MontCollector

    MontCollector Well-Known Member

    So I take it the larger ones (21mm) were only minted in 1907, '16, and '29 then?

    Thanks for the link. Now I know how big these are.:happy:
     
  17. Oldhoopster

    Oldhoopster Member of the ANA since 1982

    There were also some intermediate sized CuNi 2 1/2 centisimos in 1940, and the early 70's
     
  18. dirty_brian

    dirty_brian Supporter! Supporter

    I got my pill from my dealers junk silver box. he has a nicer one for $50.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  19. Galen59

    Galen59 Gott helfe mir

    looks a tad bashed, but hey you got one.
     
  20. MontCollector

    MontCollector Well-Known Member

    Hmm. Just won an ewwbay auction for a lot of 2 coins. One is a 1916 2 1/2 centesimo and the other is a 1929 5 centesimos. Both Panama and both US minted.
     
  21. Steve66

    Steve66 Coin People

    Here's one of mine..

    IMG_9053.JPG IMG_9054.JPG
     
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