Panama Tokens Catalog (PT)

Catálogo de Fichas Comerciales de Panamá


Panama Tokens book

Tokens of Panama

by David Plowman

An illustrated, priced catalog of the tokens of Panama from the days of the California gold rush (1849) to date. Over 400 tokens described in detail, almost all with photographs. Many new discoveries and tokens never before cataloged. Extensive index to make locating tokens a snap. Written in both English and Spanish.




Below is a catalog or list of all known commercial and private tokens relating to Panama. There is a separate catalog for Military Tokens which were issued by United States military units stationed in the Canal Zone. Below is also a Cross Reference Chart to help in locating the entries. I have now written a book that lists over 400 Panama tokens, with photographs and detailed descriptions. But there are still new discoveries to be made. Please me if you know of any unlisted Panama tokens or varieties, or have information you are willing to share.

Summary

Panama tokens are privately issued coins used or intended as money substitutes. In Panama, tokens have been issued by coffee plantations, mining corporations, retail stores, a telephone company and others. The tokens may have been used as small change, as payment for a quantity of work redeemable at the company store, as a discount coupon and other uses. This catalog covers those tokens issued within the borders of present-day Panama, whether they were issued before or after independence.

Collecting Panama Tokens

Collecting Panama tokens is not for those who need the satisfaction of completing the entire series. There are many tokens which are very rare including some of which only one specimen is known. Pursuit of some of these rare tokens may also require a large budget. If however you would like a few inexpensive samples of Panama tokens, there are also a few common tokens.

Rarity

Included in the catalog list below is a rarity code for (C) Common, (S) Scarce, (R) Rare and (RR) Very Rare. In parenthesis is the population count of specimens I have made based on the number of catalogs who listed the token, the sales Henkle recorded from price lists in the 1980's, recent ebay sales and some collections. I tried to avoid counting any specimen twice. The rarity code was determined based on the specimen count. Mintage is known for a few token types, which are included on the individual token pages.

Pricing

Pricing is based on several factors, which ultimately are supply and demand. How many specimens are available and how many collectors want them. With the Panama tokens, the supply is often low but frequently the demand is limited as well. When a token which has not been seen for a while goes for sale in an auction, it frequently commands an immediate exorbitant price. However, when two or three more specimens come along, the price drops dramatically, and sometimes there are no takers. This make it hard to develop a price list for the catalog. The prices below are an attempt to develop a price that at least three collectors will be willing to pay for a piece. They are based on the population count and actual sales of the more common tokens. Rare token prices are estimates based on historical pricing and comparisons with similarly rare pieces. For rare tokens, the first one seen in an auction may go for far more than the prices below. This catalog attempts to list the prices at which subsequent auctions may go for.

Numbering System

All the Panama tokens have been designated with the letters "PT", and grouped by issurer and then by type. Each group is given a unique number. Within each group, each piece is given a unique number based on its denomination in cents. I have chosen to group and alphabetize by person's name appearing on the token (last name first). If no person's name appears, then by business name. Lastly by location name or whatever is written on the token. In a few rare cases (Casinos Nacionales and Alexander Hoskins, for example) the tokens are grouped and alphabetized by an issurer whose name does not appear on the token. An example would be PT5-5 for a 5 cent piece and PT5-100 for a one dollar piece. Permission is hereby granted to anyone to use the numbers below in referring to these tokens, in print or electronic media, by calling them Plowman's PT-xx.xx at least once, or referencing www.coins-of-panama.com. However, I reserve the right to assign all new numbers. Please contact me when a new number is needed.


Click on the image or catalog number below to go to the full listing for that piece.


Panama Tokens Catalog
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Image # Description Rarity 2007 Catalog Value
Fine Very Fine Extra Fine
PT-5.1 A.C.G. S (5) $ 50.00 $ 70.00 $ 100.00
PT-10.05 ALL AMERICAN HOTEL 5 cents TBD $ TBD $ TBD $ TBD
PT-20.021 ARCO IRIS ¼ green R (3) $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.022 ARCO IRIS ¼ blue TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.023 ARCO IRIS ¼ orange TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.051 ARCO IRIS ½ green R (3) $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.052 ARCO IRIS ½ blue TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.053 ARCO IRIS ½ orange RR (1) $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.11 ARCO IRIS 1 green TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.12 ARCO IRIS 1 blue R (3) $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.13 ARCO IRIS 1 orange TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.21 ARCO IRIS 2 green TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.22 ARCO IRIS 2 blue TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.23 ARCO IRIS 2 orange TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.31 ARCO IRIS 3 green TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.32 ARCO IRIS 3 blue TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.33 ARCO IRIS 3 orange TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.41 ARCO IRIS 4 green TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.42 ARCO IRIS 4 blue TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.43 ARCO IRIS 4 orange TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.51 ARCO IRIS 5 green S (5) $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.52 ARCO IRIS 5 blue TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.53 ARCO IRIS 5 orange TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.61 ARCO IRIS 6 green TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.62 ARCO IRIS 6 blue TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.63 ARCO IRIS 6 orange TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.71 ARCO IRIS 7 green TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.72 ARCO IRIS 7 blue TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.73 ARCO IRIS 7 orange TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.81 ARCO IRIS 8 green TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.82 ARCO IRIS 8 blue TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-20.83 ARCO IRIS 8 orange TBD $ 18.00 $ 24.00 $ 36.00
PT-21.053 ARCO IRIS ctsp. P ½ orange RR (2) $ 24.00 $ 30.00 $ 48.00
PT-25.05 ARIAS, JUAN 5 centavos with crosses S (7) $ 20.00 $ 27.00 $ 40.00
PT-25.06 ARIAS, JUAN 5 centavos crosses FT ctsp. RR (1) $ 30.00 $ 40.00 $ 60.00
PT-25.10 ARIAS, JUAN 5 centavos
with stars and 51 dots
R (3) $ 25.00 $ 35.00 $ 50.00
PT-25.11 ARIAS, JUAN 5 centavos
stars 51 dots FT ctsp.
R (3) $ 30.00 $ 40.00 $ 60.00
PT-25.12 ARIAS, JUAN 5 centavos stars center hole R (4) $ 20.00 $ 27.00 $ 40.00
PT-25.15 ARIAS, JUAN 5 centavos
with stars and 37 dots
S (8) $ 20.00 $ 27.00 $ 40.00
PT-25.16 ARIAS, JUAN 5 centavos
stars 37 dots FT ctsp.
RR (2) $ 30.00 $ 40.00 $ 60.00
PT-30.05 AROSEMENA, R.A. 5 centavos TBD $ TBD $ TBD $ TBD
PT-30.06 AROSEMENA, R.A. 5 centavos ctmk. TBD $ TBD $ TBD $ TBD
PT-35.05 AT AL's PLACE 5 cents TBD $ TBD $ TBD $ TBD
PT-40.05 AT AMERICAN HOTEL 5 cents TBD $ TBD $ TBD $ TBD
PT-45.02 BARROWS PANAMA COFFEE LANDS
2½ cents
S (6) $ 60.00 $ 80.00 $ 120.00
PT-45.05 BARROWS PANAMA COFFEE LANDS
5 cents
S (8) $ 55.00 $ 75.00 $ 110.00
PT-45.10 BARROWS PANAMA COFFEE LANDS
10 cents
C (10) $ 50.00 $ 70.00 $ 100.00
PT-45.25 BARROWS PANAMA COFFEE LANDS
25 cents
S (8) $ 50.00 $ 70.00 $ 100.00
PT-45.50 BARROWS PANAMA COFFEE LANDS
50 cents
C (14) $ 40.00 $ 55.00 $ 80.00
PT-50.1 BAZAAR JAMAICA no denomination TBD $ TBD $ TBD $ TBD
PT-51.05 BAZAR JAMAICANO 5 centavos TBD $ TBD $ TBD $ TBD
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CROSS-REFERENCE CHART
A., G. See G.A.
A.D. MacINTYRE See MacINTYRE, A.D.
A. FUECHER See FUECHER, A.
A. GROSSO See GROSSO, A.
AGUA DULCE See RAMIREZ, MARIO A.
ALEXANDER HOSKINS See HOSKINS, ALEXANDER
ANJEL OVALLEP See OVALLEP, ANJEL
ANTONIO TAGAROPULOS See TAGAROPULOS, ANTONIO
ASCH See ISAACS & ASCH
AURELIO ROVIRA See ROVIRA, AURELIO
BAJO OBISPO See J. DE LA PENA & CO.
See PENA HERMANOS
BAUDOUIN See PIZA, LINDO & BAUDOUIN
BOCAS DEL TORO See WILSON & FITZGERALD
BOQUETE See CAROLIN SITTON & CASTILLO
See KANT, EMILIO C.
See LEDESMA, NEMESIO
See ROVIRA, AURELIO
See VASQUEZ, ENRIQUE
C. JACKSON See JACKSON, C.
C.P. See CITY OF PANAMA
CANAL, EL See RONCALLO Y CA.
CARLOS MILLINGEN See MILLINGEN, CARLOS
CHIAIANI See HALPHEN, ENRIQUE
COCO SOLO BAR See FARR, J.A.
COMPANIA DE MADERA See SHUN HING-LAY HNOS.
CULEBRA See ZUBIETA & PASOS
See PIERRA, F.M.
DAVID See ARIAS, JUAN
See MILLINGEN, CARLOS
DE LEON, ELISEO See LEON, ELISEO DE
DEBO 5 CENTAVOS See COURTNEY, CHARLES
DOMINGO VEGA See VEGA, DOMINGO
E.B. HEALY See HEALY, E.B.
EAGLE BAR See HEALY, E.B.
EL CANAL See RONCALLO Y CA.
EL PROGRESSO See KANT, EMILIO C.
ELISEO DE LEON See LEON, ELISEO DE
EMILIO C. KANT See KANT, EMILIO C.
EMPERADOR See AROSEMENA, R.A.
See RODRIGUEZ Y R...
See SAMUDIO, S.
See SAMUDIO, SANTIAGO
ENRIQUE HALPHEN See HALPHEN, ENRIQUE
F.M. PIERRA & CO. See PIERRA, F.M.
FINCA DE CAFE See OSORIO
FINCA JARAMILLO See VASQUEZ, ENRIQUE
G., A.C. See A.C.G.
G.M. SOLLAS See SOLLAS, G.M.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE See CHONG, JAMES & CO.
GORGONA See NORZA & CO.
GUERRA Y CIA See SHUN HING-LAY HNOS.
H. GANS See GANS, H.
HENRY DE LISSER See LISSER, HENRY DE
HING CO. See LAM HING CO. STORES
HING-LAY HNOS. See SHUN HING-LAY HNOS.
HORQUETA See DIAZ, SEGUNDO
J.A. FARR See FARR, J.A.
J. DEL C. MEJIA See MEJIA, J. DEL C.
J. SUCRE See SUCRE, J.
JAMES CHONG & CO. See CHONG, JAMES & CO.
JOSE MONTEVERDE See MONTEVERDE, JOSE
JUAN ARIAS See ARIAS, JUAN
L. CHACON See CHACON, L.
LA BERLINA See DIAZ, SEGUNDO
LA ESPERANZA See LEDESMA, NEMESIO
LA PANDURA See ROVIRA, AURELIO
LA PENA, J. DE See PENA, J. DE LA
LA VIOLETA See RAMIREZ, MARIO A.
LINDO & BAUDOUIN See PIZA, LINDO & BAUDOUIN
MARIO A. RAMIREZ See RAMIREZ, MARIO A.
MT. HOEP See ISTHMIAN TRADING & CONTRACTING CO.
NEMESIO LEDESMA See LEDESMA, NEMESIO
P., C. (C.P.) See CITY OF PANAMA
P See EL PASAJE
PALO ALTO See HALPHEN, ENRIQUE
PANAMA DEV. & MFG. CO., THE See LAM HING CO. STORES
PASAJE, EL See EL PASAJE
R.A. AROSEMENA See AROSEMENA, R.A.
R. CHAGON See CHAGON, R.
RIVERO S. HERMANOS See HERMANOS, RIVERO S.
S.L. ISAACS & ASCH See ISAACS, S.L. & ASCH
S. PODOLSKY See PODOLSKY, S.
SANTIAGO GARCIA See GARCIA, SANTIAGO
SAVINGS BANK OF COLON See FIELD BRODIE & CO.
SEGUNDO DIAZ See DIAZ, SEGUNDO
SITTON & CASTILLO See CAROLIN SITTON & CASTILLO
STERLING, GARAJE See GARAJE STERLING
TABERNILLA See CHACON
TAI LONG, WING See WING TAI LONG
THE DARIEN GOLD MINING COMPANY See DARIEN GOLD MINING COMPANY
THE MADURO-LUPI COMPANY See MADURO-LUPI COMPANY
THE PANAMA DEV. & MFG. CO. See LAM HING CO. STORES
VALE UN CIGARRO See HOSKINS, ALEXANDER
WALTER A. SIMS See SIMS, WALTER A.
YUEN & CO. See WING CHONG YUEN & CO.