1293

Panama (under Spain), oval silver medal, Ferdinand VII, Constancia de Panama (1815), very rare, ex-R

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Exonumia - Medals Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
Panama (under Spain), oval silver medal, Ferdinand VII, Constancia de Panama (1815), very rare, ex-R
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This item SOLD at 2017 Nov 03 @ 10:30UTC-4 : AST/EDT
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Panama (under Spain), oval silver medal, Ferdinand VII, Constancia de Panama (1815), very rare, ex-Richard Stuart. 4.02 grams. Obverse: Facing bust of Ferdinand VII; reverse: CONSTANCIA / DE / PANAMA within laurel border. Lightly toned choice UNC (prooflike finish) and of the highest rarity and interest. Awarded to the loyal citizens of that province by Royal Ordinance of February 6, 1815. This and a gold piece struck from the same pair of dies are the only known examples of this important War of Independence fidelity award, making them much rarer than the well-known and popular Indian award medals of similar design but with the motto “En Premio de la Fidelidad.” Historical comment by Carlos Jara: One of the early figures of independent Panama is Juan Jose Cabarcas, who was born in Cartagena de Indias in 1774 but spent most of his life in the isthmus. In early 1814 he traveled to Spain and was incorporated into the Ordinary Courts of Cadiz in March of that year, where he rather skillfully represented the interests of Panama, contributing to the acquisition of a provincial deputation for that province. As a consequence of the loyalty shown by Panama to the Spanish Crown, Cabarcas also requested (on April 3, 1814, as can be noted in the transcriptions of the sessions of the courts for that date) that a symbol of fidelity be added to its coat of arms (this coat of arms being described as “two anchored ships in the Northern and Southern seas”) and that the members of the council be allowed to wear a medal with the motto “Constancia de Panama”. Later, by a Royal Ordinance dated February 6, 1815, King Ferdinand VII awarded the title of “faithful” to the cities of Panama, Portobelo, Alanje, La Villa de los Santos, Santiago and Nata de los Caballeros in recognition “of their constant fidelity preserved through the upheavals and political movements of the New Granada and their extraordinary services made in defense of a good cause” and also authorize its citizens to wear an insignia of fidelity. In particular it was specified that the one corresponding to the members of the Council (Cabildo) of Panama would consist of “a gold insignia (medallion) consisting of a plaque with the bust of Ferdinand VII with an olive branch and the inscription Constancia de Panama”. Pedigreed to the Richard Stuart collection.