Obverse Design "NCO CLUB" curves along the top. An bow-shaped ornament appears in the top middle. In the middle is "LIFELINERS" in quotes, and another bow-shaped ornament appears below it. "FORT KOBBE" curves along the bottom. There is a 5 mm round hole in the middle of the coin which obliterates the middle four letters of the word "LIFELINERS". Circle of beads close to the edge. Smooth plain raised edge.
Reverse Design A large "5" with "IN TRADE" in an oval block across the lower half of the number. Small C to the right of the upper part of the "5". The hole obliterates part of the "5" and parts of the letters "TRA" from "IN TRADE". Circle of beads close to the edge. Smooth plain raised edge.
Metal Brass. Weight 3.18 grams. Size and Shape Round, 22 mm in diameter.
Dates Issued Unknown; similar designs used around 1970.
Issuer Fort Kobbe, on the west bank of the canal near the Pacific entrance and next to Howard AFB.
Mintage Unknown.
Rarity Common. Manufacturer Unknown; design very similar to those used by Meyer and Wenthe Company. Other Catalog Numbers Asociación Numismático's F-146, Cunningham's CZ280a (photo), Curto's F83-5, Henkle's CZ-56 (photo) and Plumer page #4.
Varieties One variety is in nickel, one in brass with a hole, and a third exists in brass without a hole.
Function Perhaps a post exchange token.
Population Count Ten specimens in collector hands are known to me. Recent sales include:
  1. Fixed price sale on eBay on July 5, 2006 for $25.00.
  2. Auction sale on eBay on June 24, 2006 for $63.87 plus $1 shipping.
Note: Some specimens may have been counted twice.