This 1972, which is part of the FAO set, has a lovely Cameo which was graded as an PF64 PF Cameo by ANACS. It has mirror like fields past 2 inches and the reverse shield is positvely stunning. This was desinged by US Mint Engraver Frank Gasparro, an assistant sculptor-engraver at the U.S. Mint in 1964 who later became chief engraver in 1965. He designed the Lincolm Memorial, Ike Dollars and KEnnedy Halves, among other works that the public is familiar with. This might well be one of his better designs At this time, The US was still running the international Panama Canal Zone and dominated Panama politics. In fact, the US still greatly influences Panama politics and US citizens have a special relationship with the country, which also serves as a retirement home for many elderly US citizens. The coin has a lovely reeded or dotted rim, which ascents the coins details. What holds it down as an MS64 is hard to know. In the hand, one can see a slight strike weakness in the eagle breast and the ribbon. The rims seem perfect, or nearly so, and the fine linear strips on the reverse shield is nearly perfectly struck, with perhaps a very slight weakness in right bottom, which is attenuated by the fold in the cloth in the design. On detailed photography, it is not that apparent. The die detail must have been amazing. If this is a PF64, I am dieing to see a PF67. Panama is one of the nations profiled by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, and a participant. There food security and details are statistically listed on the UN website: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#country/166 Most indicators of Food availability by Panamanians is very positive since 2000, even though in the last 3 years the average VALUE of the food that they have has shapely reduced. While more food is available, the cost of such food is dropping like dramatically. While subsistence farming in Panama is still common, though the 1980s and 990s the employment of people in agriculture has nearly dropped in half from 46 percent in 1965 to 26 percent in 1984. At the time this coin was produced, Panama went through a land redistribution program, a somewhat radical economic plan. It had some successes, but overall did little to help the overall economic condition or food security for the country. Famers largest crops in Panama include bananas, among other fruit, corn, sugar, rice, and coffee.
That looks amazing in proof. I have the uncirculated version and it's baby brother for my "Coins with Hands" topical/themed collection.
I like that 5B. as well. Never got one but nice little design. LOL on the holder labelling with all the price escalation, bit busy there...
