Mexico 1955-Mo 20 centavos KM-440

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This handsome coin, a sterling tribute to the skill of Mexican coin engravers, was struck in Mexico City 1943-74 and constitutes one of the longer series in twentieth century Mexico. The eagle was redesigned twice, in 1955 (KM 440) and 1971 (KM 441). Sadly, by the end of its run inflation had so eroded its value that it was worth more in copper than its face value and people were smuggling them into the U.S. to be sold as scrap metal. This date is low mintage (the year's production was shared with KM 439) and is scarce but not rare.

Recorded mintage: 16,950,000 including KM 439.

Specification: 10 g, bronze, 28.5 mm diameter, plain edge.

Catalog reference: KM-440.

Source:

• Amaya Guerra, Carlos Abel, Epitome Ilustrado de la Moneda Mexican Moderna, 1905 a 2015, Monterrey, Mexico, 2015.
• Bailey, Don and Lois, Whitman Encyclopedia of Mexican Money, Volume 1, An Illustrated History of Mexican Coins and Currency, Atlanta: Whitman Publishing, 2014.
• Buttrey, T. V., and Clyde Hubbard, A Guide Book of Mexican Coins, 1822 to date, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1992.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Harris, Robert P., A Guide Book of Modern Latin American Coins, Racine, WI: Whitman Publishing Co., 1966.
• Utberg, Neil S., The Coins of Mexico, 1536-1963, San Antonio, TX, 1963.

Link to:

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• Coins and currency dated 1955
• return to Mexican coinage of the modern era, since 1905