Some time ago I posted a fuzzy picture of this coin on these boards. I would like some help if anyone can manage, and that is how this coin came to be. It is a proof 1983FM 1/4 Balboa with the "Ley 0.500" reverse designation, and so far unique. Unlike the other mule Panama fineness "error" coins of 1975, 1976 and 1982 this coin is unique that it is not a mule and in that is evidently the only one known or ever reported. It is copper-nickel and has the fineness as an integral part of the reverse design, and NEVER did the Franklin Mint (FM) strike 1/4 Balboas in silver nor are there any other dates, or indeed ANY other specimens of this date struck in any metal with this designation. Therefore it appears to be a pattern. NGC designates the other mule issues of 1975 and 1976 uncirculated "Ley 0.925" coins in its Population census. So does it with the 1982 proof 5B coins with the "Ley 0.925" that were actually struck in 0.500 silver. It also does with the currency 1982 1B and 5B uncirculated coins with the "Ley 0.500" but were struck in copper-nickel. This coin does not receive its own designation in the census and is put in the census with the regular 1983FM proof 1/4 B coins. In fact it must be a pattern, and appears to be quite rare and not otherwise reported in ANY source. I can only speculate that it was struck in the anticipation of a possible Franklin Mint 1983 commemorative 0.500 silver set to be struck on the 80th Anniversary of the country of Panama. Does anyone know anything else?
I am a fan as well since I picked up my 1966 Proof set struck at the US Mint. Krause does say the 1983, 84 and 85 FM strikes were unauthorized so could be a pattern or trial strike. Krause has ND - 1983 FM as a trial strike in Cupro nickel clad copper with a mintage of 700 pieces for the 1/4 balboa.
Yes, I did see that bit. Some of the references in Krause are hard to decode but no records of this particular coin have shown. Nice Balboa coins there for sure...
BTW, I posted an informational on the 1975-1983 Panama mules and pattern on the PC-- site for those interested with about as complete information as there is anywhere to my knowledge.
Thanks. Another close up. I should probably cut it out of the package but seems fine where it is for now...
Yes, design lovely. And I think you have the obverse properly oriented as these conquistadors were supposedly looking up to God for inspiration (YIKES!).
Once again I am sad that there is no decent reference book on Franklin Mint coins. Nice find anyway - I am only interested in their Cook Islands and Solomon Islands stuff and as far as I know there is nothing as interesting as this in those series.
Update: I tried to cross this pattern over to our hosts, and they declined. It came back: "Do Not Holder" " No NUMBER" No Service/ Refund Not Applicable
Nope. From previous it is usually because it is not in a "standard" catalogue such as Krause. Hell, its a discovery pattern - where would it be then?
The TPGs are going to have to rely on something other than Krause! That catalog hasn't published since 2018, and their new owners don't want to make any more, it seems. In any case, there are lots of ERRORS in the Standard Catalog of World Coins (Krause catalog). You need to find documentation from something, somewhere. I had this same problem (discovery variety), and NGC wouldn't recognize the variety, although I wrote down "discovery" on the submission. It took a SECOND person (in Korea) to submit the variety to convince them to recognize the variety, which they do now. Perhaps submissions from others with this discovery coin would convince them? All of this seems to be based on personalities, hemming and hawing, and how much the leaderships' bowels are acting up on any particular day. Well, after all, the TPGs are part of U.S. numismatics(!)
Yes, the TPGs show some vagary frequently and I am not convinced that they are "blind" to the submitter. Some of their grading and designation leaves much to be desired on occasion, which has seemed to vary somewhat depending on submission source. NGC has been possibly slightly better than PCGS in my experience - which was not yours obviously. For the OP coin, the Franklin Mint as it was in the glory years is gone & just a relic of its former self, the control of which has passed through many hands and to the point to me at least retaining really only the name; records for them seem nigh impossible.
I have 3 discovery coins (US Barber dimes) and communicated directly with David Lange at NGC. They basically weren't interested unless there is "collector demand", which of course there isn't if it's not recognized anywhere. ANACS seemed more amicable but that was a few years ago and I lost interest in it; not sure how they are with world coin discoveries. When you're not a "major player" it's just a giant runaround and a waste of energy, from my experience.
AH! A very NICE piece of information. THANK YOU! (Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you: U.S. numismatics)