Another trip to the New World behind door number 4 today. Also another central American country to boot. This time from the calendar I received a 1 centesimo coin from Panama.
On the obverse is a very lacklustre design showing the value of the coin and the country of origin. Whilst the reverse displays a profile of Urraca who was a tribal chieftain in the region of what is now modern day Panama.
Urraca gained his fame in Panama by bravely resisting the expansion of the Spanish conquistadors in central America. After capturing the region where Urraca’s village was, he led stiff resistance against the Spanish. Successfully uniting various tribes in the area who were once enemies, he created a united from against Spanish expansionism.
He was successful to a point, that the Spanish were forced to trick Urraca in a feigned meeting to sue for peace. Captured, he was sent to the town of Nombre de Dios to be sent to Spain via ship. However, Urraca was able to escape and return to his tribe to continue the resistance. This would continue for several more years until his death in battle in 1531.
Numismatic Exploits 