Mexico 1973-Mo 20 centavos
The first specimen was lot 72895 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $384. The catalog description[1] noted, "MEXICO. 20 Centavos, 1973-Mo. Mexico Mint. PCGS MS-64 Brown. Designated as a 'Mule' by PCGS, yet actually difficult to verify that this a Mule. The two dies of the eagle are relatively similar, but PCGS seems convinced." 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 common.
Recorded mintage: 78,398,000.
Specification: 10 g, bronze, 28.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-441.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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