Mexico 1984 onza

from the Mountain Groan Collection

In 1949 the Mexico City mint issued the world's first onza to modest success. It tried again in 1980 with a resurrection of the 1949 design. In 1982 the medallion (technically, Libertads are not coins) was redesigned to use the obverse from the 1921 two pesos. The weight was reduced and the fineness increased from .925 to .999 silver. The medallion was an immediate hit. It was the only silver bullion coin on the market for several years and, backed by the Mexican government, outcompeted private mint issues. It inspired imitations such as the U. S. silver eagle (from 1986) and the Canadian Maple Leaf (from 1988) which have cut into its market share to the point where several of the later dates are downright rare. Proof Libertads have been issued sporadically since 1983.

Recorded mintage: 1,014,000.

Specification: 31.1 g, .999 fine silver, 1.00 troy oz ASW, reeded edge.

Catalog reference: KM 494.1.

Source:

• 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.

Link to:

• 1983 onza
• 1984 5 pesos
• 1984 20 pesos
• 1985 onza
• Coins and currency dated 1984
• return to Mexican coinage of the modern era, since 1905