Mexico 1959 20 pesos
This specimen was lot 1301 in Stack's Bowers ANA auction (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $7,343.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "MEXICO. 20 Pesos, 1959. NGC PROOF-68 ULTRA CAMEO. Restrike date. One of only three proofs of the 20 pesos have been certified by NGC. This piece is currently tied for finest certified with one other coin in a California collection which is not likely to come on the market in the near future. The third piece is much lower quality being only graded PF-63 without cameo designation. An EXTREMELY RARE 20th century proof issue that is sure to draw the attention of the collector community. Full mirror like surfaces with frosted devices and wire rim." In 1917, in an attempt to restore confidence in the inflation-ravaged currency, the government issued this gold twenty pesos along with a gold ten and five pesos. In 1918, two and 2½ pesos pieces were added and in 1921 the fifty pesos. Altho the smaller coins circulated for a brief while, the larger coins were completely hoarded. The mint continues to restrike this type but sells them at their current bullion value. The obverse design is adapted from the famous Aztec calendar stone but the SCWC describes it as a "gear-like design above value."
Recorded mintage: 13,000 plus restrikes.
Specification: 16.66 g, .900 fine gold, .482 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-171r; KM-478.
- 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.
- Utberg, Neil S., The Coins of Mexico, 1536-1963, San Antonio, TX, 1963.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2014 Chicago ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Featuring the David O'Harrow Collection, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2014.
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