Mexico 1981 1/2 onza

from Sedwick Treasure Auction 21, lot 180

In 1949 the Mexico City mint issued the world's first silver onza to modest success. The krugerrand, a South African one ounce gold coin, was a marketing success in the 1970's and this medallion was introduced in 1981 to compete with it. Unlike the silver onza, which was very popular, this type was less successful, being issued in 1981-82 and 1989 only before being redesigned in 1991. This specimen was lot 180 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 21 (Winter Park, FL, May 2017), where it sold for $705. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Mexico City, Mexico, 1/2 onza, 1981, encapsulated NGC MS 66. Velvety luster despite matte surfaces, just the Liberty side with a couple small bagmarks."

Recorded mintage: 193,000.

Specification: 17.28 g, .900 fine gold, .50 troy oz AGW, reeded edge.

Catalog reference: Fr-179; KM-488.

Source:

• ^[1]Sedwick, Daniel F., Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction #21, featuring Selections from the Richard Stuart Collection, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC, 2017.
• 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.
• Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.

Link to:

• 1981 ¼ gold onza
• 1981 gold onza
• 1981 20 pesos
• 1983 silver onza
• 1989 gold ½ onza
• Coins and currency dated 1981
• return to Mexican coinage of the modern era, since 1905