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Mexican Silver

Mexican Silver

The Mexican Mint, better known as “Casa de Moneda de México,” is one the oldest mints in the Americas and has a rich numismatic history dating back five centuries that has gone through various transitions, both political and economical that has brought the Mint to what it is today.

As the world’s first modern silver bullion coin, the Mexican Silver Libertad set a standard for both quality and collector appeal, and while the denominations of the peso are among the variety of Mexican coins made of silver, the Mexican Mint has a number of silver commemorative coins as well.

Released in proof sets, brilliant uncirculated form, reverse proof, and antiqued finish, read below to learn more about the Mexican Mint silver coins available to collectors and enthusiasts.

Silver Mexican Libertad

Mexican Libertad coins are identified by the weight of the coin as each coin carries no official denomination, and they are the official sovereign bullion coinage of Mexico.

Issued in both Proof and Mint State finishes, this Silver Mexican coin is struck in a vast range of sizes: 1/20th oz., 1/10th oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., 5 oz, and one-kilo versions. In 2015, this silver coin was introduced with a Reverse Proof and an antiqued finish in 2018. Since the year 2000, the obverse for silver Libertads features the Mexican coat of arms to compliment the iconic Libertad statue.

What is a Mexican Libertad?

The term Libertad translates to liberty as the coin’s reverse depicts the iconic statue “Winged Liberty” in Mexico City. From 1982 to 1995 the silver coin obverse, and through 1999 the gold coin obverse, were based on the 1921 Centenario gold coin featuring the “Winged Liberty” statue.

This alluring and memorable classic design is what gives these coins’ universal appeal, and coupled with their high production quality and traditionally low mintages, the Libertad has emerged as one of the most popular modern coin series.

The Mexican Silver Libertad History

The history of the Silver Libertad coin is closely tied to its gold counterpart. In 1981, the Gold Libertad was introduced to compete with other gold bullion coins like the American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf series. Shortly after in 1982, the Silver Libertad followed, becoming the world’s first modern silver bullion coin.

Both the gold and silver Libertad coins symbolize Mexico’s liberty from Spain back in 1821 and have been commemorated with their design. As iconic silver Mexican coins, the Libertad is known for not having a specified denomination given to the coin, and it has been debated that if the Silver Libertad had an abased value, this would help protect Mexican citizens from the constant devaluation of the Mexican Peso.

Mexican Silver Pesos

The Mexican Peso is one of the world’s oldest coins that followed the Spanish silver dollar and was the official tender to all of North America until the mid-1850s. By the early 20th century, new minting technologies based on electricity enabled the mint to regain its own coinage production. Until the 1990s, the Peso was a stabilizing currency, but since then has had volatile security through monetary policies by the Mexican government.

In 1992, Mexican coinage and currency overall went through a reformation which resulted in a new peso and the issuance of commemorative coins to complement circulating coinage, and today, the Mexican Peso is the world’s 8th most traded currency and the most widely traded in Latin America.

Mexican Flag

Mexican Flag

What Year Pesos Are Silver?

The silver Mexican Peso dates all the way back to 1869 with its first minting on the 1 peso, and continues until 1979 where the last silver peso minted was the 100 silver peso coin.

100 pesos (1977-1979)

Bullion Content: 0.6428 Troy Silver Ounces
Obverse: Eagle on cactus eating a snake, the emblem of Mexico, with the lettering: ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS
Reverse: Morelos facing forward
Face Value: 100 pesos

10 pesos (1955-1960)

Bullion Content: 0.8356 Troy Silver Ounces
Obverse: Eagle on cactus eating a snake, the emblem of Mexico, with the lettering: ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS
Reverse: Profile Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
Face Value: 10 pesos

5 pesos (1947-1948, 1950-1954, 1955-1959)

Bullion Content: 0.8680, 0.6430, 0.4178 Troy Silver Ounces
Obverse: Eagle on cactus eating a snake, the emblem of Mexico, with the lettering: ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS
Reverse: Aztec chieftain 'Cuauhtemoc' centered
Face Value: 5 pesos

1 peso (1869-1913, 1920-1945, 1947-1948, 1950, 1957-1967)

Bullion Content: 0.7860, 0.3856, 0.2250, 0.1286, 0.0511 Troy Silver Ounces
Obverse: Eagle on cactus eating a snake, the emblem of Mexico, with the lettering: ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS
Reverse: Radiant cap with denomination and wreath below
Face Value: 1 peso