OK as many probably know and are tired of hearing, I do like coin issues of the Franklin Mint and incessantly comb eBay, dealer lists, worldwide auctions for oddities or rarities. I have turned up some very nice and even rare pieces. However, duds are found too and pictures can deceive. Well, here is one to follow. It is a Panama 1982FM Balboa that looked as though it might be an uncirculated (U) or prooflike SILVER 0.500 example which would have made it unknown and unrecorded, which occasionally happens. Well, in short, answer to that is a big fat “No” as it turned out to be a mishandled proof. The photos show the coin as it came and then after surface restoration & the after pictures less obvious in hand. Before: after:
