; ISO 4217: PAB) is, along with the United States dollar, one of the official currencies of Panama.

It is named in honor of the Spanish explorer and conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa.

1973 also saw the revival of the 2+1⁄2 centésimos coin, which had a size similar to that of the U.S. half dime, but these were discontinued two years later due to lack of popular demand.

Modern 1, 5 centésimo, 1⁄10, 1⁄4, and 1⁄2 balboa coins are the same weight, dimensions, and composition as the U.S. cent, nickel, dime, quarter, and half dollar, respectively.

[3] In 1941, President Arnulfo Arias pushed the government to enact Article 156 to the constitution, authorizing official and private banks to issue paper money.