San Blas
26mm, brass
About this token:
- This token is listed in Rulau's "Latin American Tokens," SB 5. San Blas
Territory, Panama. No information about the use of these tokens is given.
- David passed on this information: "I do not think the so-called San Blas
tokens were ever really used as currency. I have heard anecdotal stories about
their use as evidence of payment down in the islands. They were sold BU in
Panama by dealers like Dan Sander of Numismatica Ltda for a couple of bucks
for a long time. I do not know if they are still made though." I also was
told by a dealer that they were made in Minnesota. I was not told the manufacturer's
name however.
- Lonely Planet
has a web page about Panama that has a map
that shows the San Blas islands, and contains the following information: The
islands of the San Blas Archipilago are strung out along the Caribbean coast
of Panama from the Golfo de San Blas nearly all the way to the Colombian border.
The islands are home to the Kuna Indians, who run the 378 islands as an autonomous
province, with minimal interference from the national government. They maintain
their own economic system, language, customs, and culture, with distinctive
dress, legends, music and dance. The economy of the islands is based on coconut
sales, fishing and tourism, and they offer travelers good diving, snorkeling
and swimming; the best diving conditions are between April and June. The most
interesting islands are Achutupu, Kagantupu and Coco Blanco. There are flights
to several of the islands from Panama City or you can catch a ride with Kuna
merchant ships from Coln.
- I also found a Culture summary by Eleanor
C. Swanson, which states that: After independence from Spain, the Cuna
eventually aligned themselves with Panama rather than Colombia. In 1925 they
staged a rebellion, which resulted in the San Blas area becoming a largely
autonomous Cuna reserve within the Republic of Panama, a political status
it still holds today.
Know anything about this token? Please send me a note: pineconeforge(at)gmail.com
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