Mexico 1990 50000 pesos
The first specimen was lot 70680 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $3,360. The catalog description[1] noted, "MEXICO. Silver 50000 Pesos Pattern, 1990-Mo. Mexican (Potosi) Mint. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo. Spiraled hat/small denomination variety. An unrivaled, fully tantalizing example, this pattern issue resides at the precipice of perfection and wholly delights with immense argent frosting imparted unto the bust and sombrero of Zapata." The second specimen was lot 70681 in the same sale, where it sold for $2,880. The catalog description[1] noted, "MEXICO. Silver 50000 Pesos Pattern, 1990-Mo. Mexican (Potosi) Mint. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo. Filled hat/large denomination variety. Sitting at the top spot in the NGC census, this captivating specimen is nearly flawless and offers a great argent nature to the frosted devices." By the early 1980's, the Mexican economy was running into trouble. Political mismanagement, corruption, an antiquated tax structure and an exploding population were feeding serious inflation. Coin types, once stable in the early part of the century, began turning over more rapidly as inflation ate away their purchasing power. While this gave employment to coin designers and engravers, it limited their scope of action as progressively cheaper alloys were adopted. This pattern depicting Emiliano Zapata, shown here in two varieties, was never adopted.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: KM Pn242: copper-nickel, KM Pn244: silver.
Catalog reference: the first specimen is KM Pn242, the second specimen is KM Pn244.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Buttrey, T. V., and Clyde Hubbard, A Guide Book of Mexican Coins, 1822 to date, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1992.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Featuring the Richard Elliott Collection of Hooknecks, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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