Mexican gold “Libertad”

The “Casa de Moneda de Mexico” Mint began to produce Mexican gold libertad as well as the silver one in 1981. The name of the coins originated from the word “libertad”, which means “freedom” in Spanish, therefore, a symbolic female image of Freedom is engraved on the coin’s obverse. An interesting fact is that the libertad currency does not have denomination, and its value is determined by the weight of gold in troy ounces. However, it is possible to calculate the denomination. It is enough to convert the market value of gold in a coin into the national currency of the peso.

Types of Mexican gold libertad

1/20 Onza denomination

Years of issue:

• minted in 2015

1/10 Onza denomination

Years of issue:

• minted in 1994

• minted in 2016

1/4 Onza denomination

Years of issue:

• minted in 1981

• minted in 2017

1/2 Onza denomination

Years of issue:

• minted in 1981

• minted in 1994

• minted in 2018

1 Onza denomination

Years of issue:

• minted in 1981

• minted in 2016

Golden Mexican libertad: examples of circulation

Circulation of gold libertad − 1 Onza

Year of Issue	Circulation (pcs.)
1981	596 000
1991	109 193
1992	46 281
1993	10 000
1994	1 000
2000	2 730

Circulation of gold libertad − 1/2 Onza

Year of Issue	Circulation (pcs.)
1981	193 000
1991	10 000
1992	25 220
1993	2 500
1994	2 500
2000	1 500

Circulation of gold libertad − 1/4 Onza

Year of Issue	Circulation (pcs.)
1981	313 000
1991	10 000
1992	28 100
1993	2 500
1994	2 500
2000	2 500

Circulation of gold libertad − 1/10 Onza

Year of Issue	Circulation (pcs.)
1991	10 000
1992	50 777
1993	10 000
1994	10 000
2000	3 500
2002	5 000

Circulation of gold libertad − 1/20 Onza

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Design development

The common name of the coin is “libertad”, but the first type is called “Gold Onzas” (means “ounce” in Spanish ), the second and third types are “Mexican Libertad”.

The main differences between “Gold Onzas” and “Mexican Libertad”

Gold libertad, Type I (“Gold Onza”)

• Year of issue: 1981-1989
• Proof: 0,900 gold
• Weight: 34.5 g.
• Types of coins: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz.

Gold Libertad, Type II (“Mexican Libertad”)

• Year of issue: 1991-1994
• Proof: 0.999 gold.
• Weight: 31.1035 g.
• Types of coins: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz.

Gold Libertad, Type III (“Mexican Libertad”)

• Year of issue: 1996-present.
• Proof: 0.999 gold.
• Weight: 31.1035 g.
• Types of coins: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz.

Design differences

• Obverse 1981-1989: In the center of the coin, against the background of the volcanoes Istaxiuatl and Popocatepetl, there is a Winged Freedom, which holds a wreath of laurel in the raised-up right arm, and a piece of the broken chain in the left-down arm. To the left of it indicated the weight of the coin “1 onza oro puro”, and to the right is the year of minting and the mark of the Mint “oM”. The top edge of the coin is decorated with a jagged ornament, and “MEXICO” is engraved below.
• Obverse 1991-1994: In the center of the coin, against the background of the volcanoes Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl, there is a Winged Freedom, which holds a wreath of laurels in the raised-up right arm and a piece of the broken chain in the left-down arm. To the left to her there is an indication of the coin’s weight “1 Onza oro puro”, to the right, there is the year of issue together with the mark of the Mint (“oM”). The top edge of the coin is decorated with a jagged ornament, below there is an inscription “MEXICO”.
• Obverse 1996-2018: In the center of the coin, on the background of the volcanoes Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl, there is Winged Freedom. She stands on the Mexican Independence Monument and extends its right hand forward, in its left hand there is a piece of a broken chain. “1 ONZA ORO PURO”, the year of issue and “LEY .999” are engraved along the top edge of the coin. To the right of Freedom there is the mark of the Mint “oM”. At the very bottom of the coin there are cacti.

• Reverse 1981-2018: In the center of the coin there is the national emblem of Mexico, which represents an eagle that kills a snake, and the eagle itself stands on a large cactus. At the bottom of the eagle, there are crossed branches of oak and laurel, tied with a ribbon. At the top ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS (United States of Mexico) is engraved. The edge of the coin is decorated with a jagged ornament.

In the period from 1981 to 1989, only three types of coins were minted: 1, 1/2, and 1/4 of libertad, and since 1991, the collection was expanded with denominations of 1/10 and 1/20 libertad. All five types of coins can be purchased in sets of one year of release. At the same time, the quality and authenticity of the coins are confirmed by the certificate attached to the set.

What Mint produces the coins?

The Mint in Mexico City is the oldest Mint in the Americas. It began to produce coins back in 1536. Later, in 1732, for the first time in America, this Mint began to produce the coins with the help of a mechanical press, which made it possible to obtain completely round coins with a pattern on the edge. In addition to Mexico City, Mints in the cities of Alamos, Guadalajara, Guadalupe and Calvo, Guanajuato, Durango, Culiacan, Oaxaca, Real de Catorse, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Chihuahua, Hermosillo, Tlalpan and other functioned at different times. Notable that for a long time Mexican gold coins (commemorative and any other) were considered the most stable currency in the world. Today, Mexican gold coins are the subject of interest of collectors-numismatists around the world, but at the same time they compete with unusually beautiful Mexican silver commemorative coins, which in their design reflect the cultural and historical heritage of Mexico.

Cost of coins on the market

You can buy gold Mexican libertad on special online auctions or exchanges, but you should bear in mind that their price can significantly vary. The table shows the approximate price of different types of coins:

Year of Issue	Circulation (pcs.)
1991	10 000
1992	65 225
1993	10 000
1994	10 000
2000	5 300

Weight	Year of Issue	Price ($ USD)
1 Onza	1981 г.	1 474,77
1 Onza	1996-2018 гг.	1 294,50-1 714,34
½ Onza	2013 г.	660,37
½ Onza	2014 г.	562,21-591,80
½ Onza	2017 г.	678,94-758,93
¼ Onza	2015 г.	343,66-357,84
1/10 Onza	2011 г.	184,94
1/20 Onza	2018 г.	83,18-86,50

Interesting Facts

• Two mountains engraved behind the Winged Freedom are the Istaxiuatl and Popocatepetl volcanoes. Legend says that Popocatepetl, the great warrior, fell in love with the fair maiden Istaxiuatl, the princess, king’s daughter. Popocatepetl asked the king for permission to marry his daughter. The king agreed with condition that Popocatepetl would destroy the neighboring militant tribe in battle and return as a champion. Soon after, the Popocatepetl went to battle and won, but it took him longer than expected. One of the envious persons spread a rumor that Popocatepetl died in battle. When Princess Istaxiuatl was told that her beloved Popocatepetl died in a battle, she was in such a state of grief that she soon died. When Popocatepetl finally won the battle, he received the news of the death of his beloved princess Istaxiuatl. He carried her princess in his arms to the top of a high mountain range, which took the form of a sleeping girl. At the very top of this mountain, Popocatepetl kissed Istaxiuatl’s cold lips for the last time, and then laid her body. Overcoming sadness, Popocatepetl grabbed a burning torch, knelt down next to his beloved princess Istaxiuatl and stayed with her to watch her in eternal sleep.

• Vintage Mexican pesos (1959 & PRIOR) are of particular interest for collectors around the world. The reason for this is not only a high gold proof and the historical value of these coins, but also an unusually beautiful and complex design. Thus, for example, gold coins of 5 Mexican pesos denomination as well as 10 pesos denominations, were considered the most popular coins until the South African Krugerrands appeared on the market in 1980
• “Silver Aztec” series of Mexican coins demonstrates six ancient civilizations with its unique design. It was released on the special order of the Bank of Mexico in 1992.