Libertad (coin)

Mexican bullion coin

Gold Libertad

Mexico

Mass| 31.1 g (1.0 troy oz)
Diameter| 34.5 mm (1.36 in)
Thickness| 2.5 mm (0.099 in)
Composition| 99.9% Au
Years of minting| 1981-present
Obverse
Design| Coat of arms of Mexico
Reverse
Design| Three-quarter side view of the Angel of Independence with the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl in the background
Silver Libertad

Mexico

Mass| 31.1 g (1.0 troy oz)
Diameter| 40 mm (1.58 in)
Thickness| 3.0 mm (0.12 in)
Edge| Reeded
Composition| 99.9% Ag
Years of minting| 1982-present
Obverse
Design| Coat of arms of Mexico with 10 past versions of this symbol surrounding it.
Reverse
Design| Three-quarter side view of the Angel of Independence with the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl in the background

The Libertad coins are silver and gold bullion coins originating from Mexico and minted by the Casa de Moneda de México (Mexican Mint). The Mexican Mint was established in 1535 and is the oldest mint in the Americas. The modern coins contain 99.9% silver or gold (.999 fineness) and are available in various sizes. Both metal coins have undergone a design change. In 1989, 3,500 1⁄4 ounce Libertad platinum coins were produced. Libertads are devoid of face value, yet are legal tender, still accepted as currency and guaranteed by Banco de México, based on the market value of its gold or silver content.

In addition to the bullion version, a proof and reverse proof versions for both metals are manufactured specifically for collectors. Gold coins made before 2000 are only 90% pure gold. Proof coins contain a frosted angel with a polished background. A reverse proof is the opposite and has a polished angel with a frosted background.[1] An antique finish silver Libertad coin was first released in 2018 with a limited mintage of 40,000.[2]

## Design

[edit]

Obverse: The Coat of arms of Mexico is shown with a Mexican golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus devouring a rattlesnake. This imagery relates to the founding of Tenochtitlan, present-day Mexico City. The coat of arms is rooted in the legend where the god Huitzilopochtli told the Aztec people where to build their city: where they saw an eagle eating a snake on top of a cactus.[3] The bottom half of the coat of arms has oak and laurel leaves encircling the eagle. The top half has the words Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States) encircling the eagle. The gold obverse has not changed since its inception and the silver coin had the same obverse at its inception. In 2000, the silver obverse was changed to depict the current Mexican national coat of arms along with 10 past versions of this symbol surrounding it. The Spanish inscription ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS still surrounds the central coat of arms.[4] The past version of the symbol at the top is found in the Codex Mendoza from 1524.

Reverse: The design used was based on the 1921 gold Centenario, a coin issued to mark the centennial of Mexican independence. The winged Victoria of Angel of Independence is in front with the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl in the background. The weight (ONZA or ounce), date, and purity are also listed. The older Libertad coins show a front-facing view of the angel. The new Libertad series shows a three-quarter side profile of the angel. The gold used the older angel from 1981 through 1999. The silver used the older angel from 1982 through 1995.[4]

## Specifications

[edit]

Gold coins have not changed sizes since first minted. From 1982 through 1995, the one, 1⁄2 and 1⁄4 ounce silver coins had slightly smaller diameters and greater thicknesses than current minted coins. From 1981 through 1990, the gold coins contained 90% gold (.90 fineness). The gold coins, since 1991, and all silver coins have contained 99.9% silver or gold (.999 fineness).[5][6]

Current specifications[5][7]

Composition  | Weight
| Diameter
(mm)  | Thickness
(mm)
troy oz  | grams
Gold  | 1  | 31.1  | 34.5  | 2.5
1⁄2 | 15.56  | 29  | 1.8
1⁄4 | 7.8  | 23  | 1.3
1⁄10 | 3.1  | 16
1⁄20 | 1.56  | 13  | 0.65
Silver  | 32.15  | 1,000  | 110  | 11.5
5  | 155.5  | 65  | 5.4
2  | 62.2  | 48  | 4.5
1  | 31.1  | 40  | 3
1⁄2 | 15.56  | 33  | 2.35
1⁄4 | 7.8  | 27  | 1.7
1⁄10 | 3.11  | 20  | 1.4
1⁄20 | 1.56  | 16  | 1

## Mintage statistics

[edit]

### Gold

[edit]

Mintage of gold uncirculated coins[8][9][10] Year  | 1⁄20 oz  | 1⁄10 oz  | 1⁄4 oz  | 1⁄2 oz  | 1 oz

|
|
|
|
|

1981  |  |  | 313,000  | 193,000  | 596,000
1991  | 10,000  | 10,000  | 10,000  | 10,000  | 109,193
1992  | 65,225  | 50,777  | 28,106  | 25,220  | 46,281
1993  | 10,000  | 10,000  | 2,500  | 2,500  | 73,881
1994  | 1,000
2000  | 5,300  | 3,500  | 1,500  | 2,730
2002  | 5,000  | 5,000  | 5,000  | 5,000  | 15,000
2003  | 800  | 300  | 300  | 300  | 500
2004  | 4,000  | 2,000  | 1,500  | 500  | 3,000
2005  | 3,200  | 500  | 500
2006  | 3,000  | 2,500  | 1,500  | 4,000
2007  | 1,200  | 1,200  | 500  | 2,500
2008  | 800  | 2,500  | 800  | 300  | 800
2009  | 2,000  | 9,000  | 3,000  | 3,000  | 6,200
2010  | 1,500  | 4,500  | 1,500  | 1,500  | 4,000
2011  | 2,500  | 6,500  | 3,000
2012  |  |  |  |
2013  | 650  | 2,150  | 750  | 500  | 2,350
2014  | 1,050  | 2,450  | 1,000  | 1,000  | 4,050
2015  | 1,300  | 4,100  | 1,300  | 1,100  | 4,800
2016  | 2,900  | 3,800  | 1,000  | 1,200  | 4,100
2017  | 1,000  | 300  | 500  | 700  | 900
2018  | 2,500  | 1,500  | 1,250  | 1,250  | 2,050
2019  | 1,500  | 1,250  | 1,500  | 1,500  | 2,000
2020  | 700  | 700  | 700  | 700  | 1,100
2021  | 1,000  | 850  | 500  | 500  | 1,050
2022  | 1,100  | 1,400  | 1,300  | 1,000  | 1,900

2023??? 2024???

Mintage of gold proof coinage[8][9][10] Year  | 1⁄20 oz  | 1⁄10 oz  | 1⁄4 oz  | 1⁄2 oz  | 1 oz

|
|
|
|
|

1983  |  |  |  |  | 88
1989  |  |  |  | 704  |
2004  | 200  | 200  | 1,800  | 200  | 200
2005  | 400  | 400  | 3,920  | 720  | 570
2006  | 520  | 520  | 2,120  | 520  | 520
2007  | 500  | 500  | 1,500  | 500  | 500
2008  | 800
2009  | 600  | 600  | 1,700  | 600  | 600
2010  | 1,000
2011  | 1,100  | 1,100  | 2,000  | 1,100  | 1,100
2013  | 300  | 300  | 600  | 300  | 400
2014  | 250  | 250  | 250  | 250  | 250
2015  | 500  | 500  | 500  | 500  | 500
2016  | 2,100  | 2,100  | 2,100  | 2,100  | 2,100
2017  | 600  | 1,500  | 1,500  | 700  | 600
2018  | 1,000  | 1,000  | 1,000 (p)
1,000 (rp)  | 1,000 (p)
1,000 (rp)
2019  | 1,000  | 800  | 650 (p)
500 (rp)  | 750 (p)
500 (rp)
2020  | 250  | 250  | 250  | 250 (p)
250 (rp)  | 250 (p)
250 (rp)
2021  | 350  | 450  | 450  | 450 (p)
500 (rp)  | 500 (p)
500 (rp)
2022  | 1,200  | 1,100  | 1,400  | 1,000 (p)
500 (rp)  | 1,300 (p)
500 (rp)
(p) Proof; (rp) Reverse proof

2023 ??? 2024 ???

### Silver

[edit]

Mintage of silver uncirculated coins[11][12] Year  | 1⁄20 oz  | 1⁄10 oz  | 1⁄4 oz  | 1⁄2 oz  | 1 oz  | 2 oz  | 5 oz  | 1 kg

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1982  |  |  |  |  | 1,050,000  |  |  |
1983  |  |  |  |  | 1,002,200  |  |  |
1984  |  |  |  |  | 1,015,500  |  |  |
1985  |  |  |  |  | 2,017,000  |  |  |
1986  |  |  |  |  | 1,699,426  |  |  |
1987  |  |  |  |  | 500,000  |  |  |
1988  |  |  |  |  | 1,500,500  |  |  |
1989  |  |  |  |  | 1,396,500  |  |  |
1990  |  |  |  |  | 1,200,000  |  |  |
1991  | 50,017  | 50,017  | 50,017  | 50,618  | 1,650,518  |  |  |
1992  | 295,783  | 299,933  | 104,000  | 119,000  | 2,458,000  |  |  |
1993  | 100,000  | 100,000  | 90,500  | 90,500  | 1,000,000  |  |  |
1994  | 90,100  | 90,100  | 90,100  | 90,100  | 400,000  |  |  |
1995  | 50,000  | 50,000  | 50,000  | 50,000  | 500,000  |  |  |
1996  | 300,000  | 50,000  | 20,000  |
1997  | 20,000  | 20,000  | 20,000  | 20,000  | 100,000  | 15,000  | 10,000  |
1998  | 6,400  | 6,400  | 6,400  | 6,400  | 67,000  | 7,000  | 3,500  |
1999  | 8,001  | 8,000  | 7,000  | 7,000  | 95,000  | 5,000  | 2,800  |
2000  | 57,500  | 27,500  | 21,000  | 20,000  | 455,000  | 9,000  | 5,500  |
2001  | 25,000  | 25,000  | 25,000  | 385,000  | 6,700  | 4,000  |
2002  | 45,000  | 35,000  | 35,000  | 35,000  | 955,000  | 8,700  | 8,500  |
2003  | 50,000  | 20,000  | 22,000  | 28,000  | 500,000  | 9,500  | 5,000  |
2004  | 30,000  | 15,000  | 15,000  | 20,000  | 550,000  | 11,000  | 5,923  |
2005  | 15,000  | 9,277  | 10,000  | 600,000  | 3,549  | 2,401  |
2006  | 20,000  | 15,000  | 15,000  | 300,000  | 5,800  | 3,000  |
2007  | 3,500  | 3,500  | 3,500  | 3,500  | 200,000  | 8,000  |
2008  | 7,000  | 10,000  | 9,000  | 9,000  | 950,000  | 17,000  | 9,000  | 2,003
2009  | 10,000  | 10,000  | 10,000  | 1,650,000  | 46,000  | 21,000  | 4,000
2010  | 12,000  | 12,000  | 15,500  | 20,000  | 1,000,000  | 14,000  | 9,500
2011  | 15,000  | 15,000  | 15,000  | 30,000  | 1,200,000  | 10,000  | 6,000
2012  | 0  | 3,300  | 16,700  | 17,000  | 746,400  | 18,600  | 9,500  | 2,300
2013  | 13,500  | 18,900  | 9,600  | 24,500  | 774,100  | 17,400  | 10,400  |
2014  | 5,700  | 6,350  | 6,950  | 23,000  | 429,200  | 9,000  | 6,400  |
2015  | 18,400  | 19,900  | 17,900  | 16,000  | 901,500  | 20,100  | 9,500  | 2,000
2016  | 22,900  | 24,400  | 17,700  | 30,900  | 1,437,500  | 17,600  | 11,400
2017  | 8,550  | 8,850  | 8,100  | 9,050  | 636,000  | 8,900  | 5,050  | 200
2018  | 17,900  | 20,300  | 18,000  | 15,500  | 300,000  | 20,400  | 16,600  | 500
2019  | 7,350  | 7,200  | 5,450  | 8,500  | 402,000  | 18,300  | 18,000  | 200
2020  | 5,450  | 6,100  | 4,450  | 7,600  | 300,000  | 5,500  | 8,900  | 500
2021  | 3,600  | 3,900  | 3,250  | 4,500  | 450,000  | 6,500  | 6,050
2022  | 4,500  | 4,850  | 4,150  | 5,555  | 350,000  | 6,250  | 7,000  | 200
Mintage of silver proof coinage[13][14][15] Year  | 1⁄20 oz  | 1⁄10 oz  | 1⁄4 oz  | 1⁄2 oz  | 1 oz  | 2 oz  | 5 oz  | 1 kg

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1983  |  |  |  |  | 998  |  |  |
1986  |  |  |  |  | 30,006  |  |  |
1987  |  |  |  |  | 12,000  |  |  |
1988  |  |  |  |  | 10,000  |  |  |
1989  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1990  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1991  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1992  | 5,000  | 5,000  | 5,000  | 5,000  |  |  |
1993  | 5,002  | 5,002  | 5,002  | 5,002  | 5,002  |  |  |
1994  |  |  |
1995  | 2,000  | 2,000  | 2,000  | 2,000  | 2,000  |  |  |
1996  | 1,000  | 1,000  | 1,000  | 1,000  | 1,200  | 1,200  |
1997  | 800  | 800  | 800  | 800  | 1,500  | 1,300  | 1,300  |
1998  | 300  | 300  | 300  | 2,500  | 500  | 400  | 400  |
1999  | 600  | 600  | 600  | 600  | 600  | 280  | 100  |
2000  | 900  | 1,000  | 700  | 700  | 1,600  | 500  | 500  |
2001  | 1,500  | 1,500  | 1,000  | 1,000  | 4,100  | 1,100  |
2002  | 2,800  | 2,800  | 2,800  | 2,800  | 3,800  | 1,000  | 1,000  | 1,820
2003  | 4,400  | 4,900  | 3,900  | 3,400  | 5,400  | 800  | 1,700  | 1,514
2004  | 2,700  | 2,500  | 2,500  | 2,500  | 3,000  | 1,000  | 600  | 1,501
2005  | 2,600  | 3,000  | 2,400  | 2,800  | 3,300  | 600  | 1,100  | 500
2006  | 3,300  | 2,900  | 2,900  | 4,000  | 1,100  | 1,000  | 874
2007  | 4,000  | 4,000  | 3,000  | 1,500  | 5,800  | 500  | 500  | 700
2008  | 3,300  | 5,000  | 2,900  | 2,500  | 11,000  | 1,000  | 900  | 1,700
2009  | 5,000  | 3,000  | 3,000  | 10,000  | 6,200  | 5,000
2010  | 10,000  | 10,000  | 5,000  | 5,000  | 1,300  | 2,000  | 1,500
2011  | 1,000  | 1,000
2012  |  |  |  |  | 4,200  |  |  | 500
2013  | 4,200  | 4,100  | 3,200  | 3,000  | 9,100  | 1,300  | 1,600  | 400
2014  | 1,850  | 1,950  | 1,700  | 1,750  | 4,700  | 750  | 800  | 500
2015  | 5,500  | 5,300  | 2,400  | 2,500  | 6,400 (p)

1,500 (rp)

| 1,300  | 1,600
2016  | 12,550  | 12,650  | 9,550  | 13,150  | 13,250 (p)
1,500 (rp)  | 3,950  | 2,750  | 800
2017  | 9,050  | 7,850  | 4,850  | 12,750  | 8,650 (p)
1,050 (rp)  | 3,050 (p)
2,000 (rp)  | 2,350 (p)
2,000 (rp)  | 500 (pl)
1,000 (ehrpl)[clarification needed]
2018  | 7,900  | 6,500  | 5,000  | 7,000  | 10,000 (p)
1,500 (rp)
40,000 (af)  | 5,000 (p)
2,100 (rp)
2,000 (af)  | 5,000 (p)
2,100 (rp)
2,000 (af)  | 1,000
2019  | 3,000  | 3,600  | 2,850  | 2,000  | 5,500 (p)
1,000 (rp)
1,000 (af)  | 2,750 (p)
1,000 (rp)
1,000 (af)  | 2,500 (p)
1,000 (rp)
1,000 (af)  | 500
2020  | 2,800  | 3,450  | 2,700  | 5,850 (p)
1,000 (rp)  | 2,800 (p)
1,000 (rp)  | 2,950 (p)
1,000 (rp)  | 250
2021  | 2,250  | 3,200  | 1,500  | 1,700  | 3,340 (p)
1,000 (rp)  | 1,250 (p)
1,000 (rp)  | 1,250 (p)
1,000 (rp)
2022  | 2,750  | 2,650  | 1,400  | 1,250  | 3,400 (p)
1,000 (rp)  | 1,700 (p)
1,000 (rp)  | 1,700 (p)
1,000 (rp)  | 200
(p) Proof; (rp) Reverse proof; (af) Antique finish

## Gallery

[edit]

* Previous coin designs
* Obverse of the 1982-1999 design showing the coat of arms of Mexico

* Reverse of the 1982-1995 design showing frontal view of the Angel of Independence with the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl

## See also

[edit]

* Bullion
* Bullion coin
* Gold as an investment
* Inflation hedge
* Silver as an investment

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Mexican Libertad Silver Coins: A Guide to Investing in Precious Metals | Silver Bullion". www.silverbullion.com.sg. 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
2. ^ "Buy 2018 Mexico 1 oz Silver Libertad Antiqued Finish". APMEX. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
3. ^ Minahan, James B. (2009). The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems. ABC-CLIO. p. 718\. ISBN 9780313344978. Archived from the original on 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
4. ^ a b "Libertad Design is Not Likely to Change". Coin Week. 30 October 2018. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
5. ^ a b "Currency" (in Spanish). Government of Mexico. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
6. ^ "Libertad series silver" (in Spanish). Bank of Mexico. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
7. ^ "Mexican Silver "Libertad"". Goldadvert. 27 December 2018. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
8. ^ a b 2020 Standard Catalog of World Coins - 1901–2000 (47th ed.). Krause Publications. 2019. ISBN 978-1-4402-4896-2.
9. ^ a b 2020 Standard Catalog of World Coins - 2001–Date (14th ed.). Krause Publications. 2019. ISBN 978-1-4402-4897-9.
10. ^ a b http://donbailey-mexico.com/libertad_mintages.shtml [bare URL]
11. ^ 2020 Standard Catalog of World Coins - 1901–2000 (47th ed.). Krause Publications. 2019. ISBN 978-1-4402-4896-2.
12. ^ 2020 Standard Catalog of World Coins - 2001–Date (14th ed.). Krause Publications. 2019. ISBN 978-1-4402-4897-9.
13. ^ "Silver coins" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2010..
14. ^ 2020 Standard Catalog of World Coins - 2001–Date (14th ed.). Krause Publications. 2019. ISBN 978-1-4402-4897-9.
15. ^ Golino, Louis (12 March 2019). "Libertad Coin Series 2019 Programs Surprises". Coin Update. Retrieved 25 February 2015.

* Golino, Louis (1 November 2019). "Collecting the Libertad Coin Series". Coin Update. Retrieved 25 February 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* La Casa de Moneda de México

Portals:

* Mexico
* Money
* Numismatics