Mexico 2008 1/2 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. Fractionals, including this half ounce, are much scarcer. The type is recorded for 1996-2014 but is likely still in production.

Recorded mintage: 9,000 + 2,500 proofs.

Specification: 15.55 g, .999 fine silver, 33 mm diameter, reeded edge.

Catalog reference: KM 612.

Source:

• 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, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.

Link to:

• 2007 media onza
• 2008 10 pesos
• 2008 1/20 onza
• 2008 1/10 onza
• 2008 ¼ onza
• 2008 onza
• 2010 media onza
• 2016 ¼ onza oro
• 2018 media onza, gold
• Coins and currency dated 2008
• return to Mexican coinage of the modern era, since 1905