Mexico 1959-Mo 20 centavos
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 scarce but not rare. The first specimen was part of lot 23011 in Heritage sale 3010 (Boston, August 2010), which sold for $546.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Modern Grouping of 18 High Grade Decimals, 1 Centavo to 1 Peso examples. Many AU and UNC. A lot to be carefully examined."
Recorded mintage: 6,017,000.
Specification: bronze, 28.5 mm diameter, plain edge.
Catalog reference: KM 440.
- 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.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, Scott Cordry and John Kraljevich, Heritage Sale 3010: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2010.
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