Mexico 1977 100 pesos

from the Mountain Groan Collection

By the early 1970's, the Mexican economy was running into trouble. Political mismanagement, corruption, an antiquated tax structure were feeding 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 type was struck in Mexico 1977-79 as the regime's last attempt to issue silver for circulation and, like all previous attempts since the 1940's, failed in the face of massive hoarding. As a result, while this coin is often seen mishandled, it never comes worn. The portrait is of José Morelos, martyr of the War of Independence. For 1977, varieties exist in the date and in the shoulders of Morelos' uniform.

Recorded mintage: 5,225,000, all varieties.

Specification: 27.77 g, 0.720 fie silver, 39 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 483.2.

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.
• 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.

Link to:

• 1977 10 centavos
• 1977 20 centavos, Madero
• 1977 50 centavos, Cuauhtemoc
• 1977 peso, copper-nickel
• 1977 5 pesos, Guadalupe Victoria
• 1977 10 pesos, Hidalgo
• 1978 10 pesos
• 1978 100 pesos, Morelos
• Coins and currency dated 1977
• return to Mexican coinage of the modern era, since 1905