Why is the silver Panama Balboa coins so expensive?

The Franklin Mint ruined Balboa's. They diluted the market with proof and commemorative sets in the 70s. You would be lucky to get over melt value for them. The only ones that have any meaningful value are the original buisness strikes. 1931-1934-1953 full Balboa's are all good investments and 1934 is the lowest mintage 1/2 Balboa.

 

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Too bad you have that spin to it, but not all of us do. The Franklin Mint made some wonderful versions, especially the 20 Balboas - I like the 1984 which far eclipses IMO artistically any of the "classic" balboas. To the contrary I think they may have INCREASED interest in top examples of earlier balboas and their fractions.
And quite honestly if you look at Ebay, there seem to be THOUSANDS of the "classical" Balboas and they are VERY boring to look at.
The statements about melt value are untrue about all of them as the better ones go for multiples of melt (ie the matte unc. 1975 and 1976 20 Balboas or the the 1976 matte Balboa struck in CuNi or the 1982 mule One Balboa unc., etc.).

 

Expensive? I picked up a certified MS65 1931 1 Balboa for $80. I would not call that expensive, given coin prices nowadays. If you find that expensive, save for it. Uncertified examples cost half of that.

 

You want expensive Latin American coins......... check out what 1895-96 Puerto Rico silver coins go for in ANY condition. I've been wanting to get a 1895 Puerto Rico, Peso crown and the prices are way too high for me.

 

Here is a 1/4 Balboa of mine I bought for the toning...

 

They did? I would assume FM minted however many Balboas they were commissioned by the Panama government to mint.

 

Yea, I don't agree with that at all. They pumped some life into an otherwise very boring series with an upgrade on the diework and more interesting subjects on the multiple Balboa coins. I still collect these avidly.

 

I like the big 20 Balboas with Simon Bolivar on them. I need the 1980 and I believe 1983 that are only .500 fine. Waiting to get a good deal - not willing to pay crazy money.

 

Yes, there are Unc/PL (U) versions for 1980, 1981, 1983 in the 20 Balboa series (no 1982) and all are 0.500 fine silver.

 

Just picked up this 1968 Panama proof set, with the 1 Balboa and 1/2 Balboa silver coins. Mintage is 23, 310

 

Because they are cool!