All Mexican Gold Libertad Coins from JM Bullion

The Mexican Gold Libertad Coins from the Mexican Mint represent one of the many options available to those interested in buying gold coins online. The series was the third bullion coin introduced following the Gold Krugerrand and Gold Maple Leaf, but it was not regularly issued until 2002. Prior to that point in its history, the series had an on-again, off-again production schedule. Below you can learn more about the various Mexican Gold Libertad coins available from JM Bullion.

Brilliant Uncirculated Gold Libertads

The Mexican Gold Libertad coins were introduced by the Mexican Mint in 1981. At the time the coin was introduced it was seen as a direct predecessor to the popular 50 Peso gold Centenario coin introduced in 1921. The Gold Libertad was introduced with the same design on the obverse as the historic Centenario and a similar reverse with the Mexican coat of arms. However, while other gold bullion coin programs have been introduced right off the bat as an annual release, the Mexican Gold Bullion coin went through an on-again, off-again production schedule.

The 1981 release of the coins included only a 1 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1/4 oz Gold Libertad coin. Those weights were issued just once in 1981 and then not produced again for a decade. The Gold Libertads returned in 1991 with added options in the form of 1/10 oz and 1/20 oz gold coins. This time the coins were produced for four years through 1994 and then underwent another halt in production. No Gold Libertads were struck between 1995 and 1999. All five weights were struck in 2000, but not in 2001. As of 2002, the Mexican Gold Libertad has finally been released as an annual-issue coin with no breaks in production.

Proof Gold Libertads

The collectible version of the Mexican Gold Libertad also made its debut in the 1980s, but had an even shakier start to life than its BU counterpart. The first Proof Mexican Gold Libertad ever produced was made in 1983 as a 1 oz gold coin. The coin was struck just that one year and the next Proof Gold Libertad came in 1989 in the form of a 1/2 oz Proof Gold Libertad. Again, a production halt came and another coin was not struck until 2004 when the 1/4 oz Proof Gold Libertad was issued. Starting in 2005, the Mexican Mint made the Proof Gold Libertad available as an annual product in the same weights as the Brilliant Uncirculated coin.

Proof Mexican Gold Libertad coins now feature 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and 1/20 oz gold options each year for collectors to purchase. The Mexican Mint typically ships these coins individually with a protective plastic capsule available. The proof coins have standard frosted visuals that contrast with the mirrored background field. In the face of increased demand for silver and gold bullion in 2012, the Mexican Mint did not issue the Proof Mexican Gold Libertads, but the series has otherwise been available each year since 2005.

The Mexican Mint also offers all five of the Proof Mexican Gold Libertads together on an annual basis in a five-coin set. The set packages all five available weights for a given date mark inside of a wooden display with the first such five-coin set produced in 2007.

Reverse Proof Gold Libertads

In 2018, the Mexican Mint introduced a new collectible option for fans of Mexican gold coins in the form of a Reverse Proof Mexican Gold Libertad. This option is only available in the 1 oz and 1/2 oz gold coin weights, and so far this version has offered up very low mintage figures. The first release had just 1,000 coins per weight and the 2019 release had just 500 coins per weight. Each reverse proof coin has mirrored design elements and frosted background fields for unique visual contrast.

Centenarios and Other Gold Pesos

Like the United States and other countries, prior to the modern era of gold bullion, the Mexican Mint issued its circulation gold coins with 90% gold content. These coins have a common metal alloy of 90% gold and 10% copper to produce a gold coin that is more durable in circulation. This applies to its historic peso coins. The most common gold peso coins still available to investors are the 5 Peso and 20 Peso coins. These two denominations were largely available from the mid-19th century through the 1920s.

The other popular option is the famed Centenario from 1921. Introduced by the Mexican Mint in 1921 to mark the 100th anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain, the Centenario introduced Winged Victory to Mexican coinage and featured 37.5 Grams of gold and the highest denomination to be regularly issued in Peso coinage, the 50 Peso coin. The Centenario was issued from 1921 to 1931. The coins resumed production in 1943 and all coins issued from 1949 to the end of coining in 1972 had a date mark of 1949. Unlike the 5 and 20 Peso gold coins you can still find available for purchase, the 50 Peso Centenario was never intended for use as a form of currency, even though it has an assigned legal tender value.

Designs of Mexican Gold Coins

The designs you’ll find on Mexican gold coins are largely the same regardless of the program. Whether you purchase a 5 Peso or 20 Peso gold coin, a Centenario, or the modern Gold Libertads, you will find the Mexican coat of arms at the center of the design element. All coins feature the Mexican golden eagle battling with a serpent from its perch on a prickly pear cactus. The design typically includes the term “Estados Unidos Mexicanos” above on the modern coins, with all versions offering a cactus wreath below. 5 Peso, 20 Peso, and Gold Centenario coins offer up older versions of the national seal consistent with the one in use at the time of a particular date mark.

Mexican Gold Libertad bullion coins have the modern version of the seal at the center of the design field on the obverse of the coin. In the case of the 1 oz Mexican Gold Libertad, you will find an additional ring of 10 historic versions of the seal around the edge of the obverse design field.

Reverse designs showcase more variety in design depending on the coin in question. The 5 Peso and 20 Peso gold coins were largely produced in an era when the ruling emperor’s bust was used on the obverse of the coin. The Centenario features an older image of Winged Victory with her figure in front-facing relief as the dominant figure in the design element. Early Mexican Gold Libertad coins reused this reverse design element, but Gold Libertads of the 21st century have a more modern depiction of Victory. Here, she is seen as you would see her at the top of the Mexican Independence Victory Column. The view is “zoomed out” more so you can see the top of the column and more of the geography around Mexico City in the background. For example, the background field also features the twin volcanic peaks of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl.

Collecting Mexican Gold Coins from JM Bullion

If you’re interested in buying Mexican gold coins or the spot price of gold, please don’t hesitate to ask. JM Bullion customer service can help answer your questions over the phone at 800-276-6508, online using our live chat, and via our email address.