Centenario 50 Pesos Gold

The 50 pesos Centenario is the best known Mexican gold coin, first struck in 1921 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the completion of Independence (1821-1921). The reverse shows the Winged Victory, the same figure as the Angel of Independence on Reforma avenue, with the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes in the background and the legend "50 PESOS 37,5 Gr. ORO PURO" (50 pesos, 37.5 grams pure gold). The obverse carries the national coat of arms with "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS" (United Mexican States), and the edge reads "INDEPENDENCIA Y LIBERTAD" (Independence and Liberty). It weighs 41.6666 g in total, of which 37.5 g is pure gold (.900 fineness), that is 1.2057 troy ounces of gold.

Here is the nuance on rarity: the original 1921 mintage was 180,000 pieces, but between 1949 and 1972 Banxico (the Bank of Mexico) restruck close to 3.9 million Centenarios, almost all dated 1947. That is why a random Centenario is almost always a 1947 restrike, common and priced at pure gold value. The 1921 originals (and low mintage intermediate dates) are worth more for their numismatic value, not just the metal.

As metal value, with gold near 4,000 to 4,100 USD per ounce, its content is worth around 4,800 to 5,000 USD, roughly 85,000 to 88,000 MXN, and that figure rises or falls with the spot price every day. This is a piece from the Centenario series within the modern pre-1992 era. To buy or sell with a price reference, check the shops directory.

This entry gathers the parent reference of the 50-peso gold Centenario, Mexico's most iconic gold coin. It was struck for the first time in 1921 under Alvaro Obregon to commemorate the hundred years of the consummation of Independence.

The parent entry groups the KM#481 family without being attributed to a single year. Banxico documents strikings in 1921-1925 and successive restrikes up to 1947, plus modern reissues from 1996 under different catalog references.

The obverse bears the Winged Victory taken from the column of the Angel of Independence (inaugurated in 1910), with Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl in the background, attributed to the sculptor Jose Nuñez Ledesma. The reverse shows the national coat of arms. Specifications: total weight 41.6666 grams, .900 fineness, pure gold content 37.5 grams (1.2057 troy ounces), diameter 37 millimeters, reeded edge. Krause reference KM#481 for the classic 1921-1947 cycle.

The year 1921 is the original issue and the most sought after by historical collectors. The documented mintage is significantly smaller than that of the later restrikes, which gives it a numismatic premium on top of its gold-content value.

In the Mexican market the Centenario is bought for its gold content (1.2057 troy ounces) and for its numismatic value when the year has a short mintage. When hunting it, compare the premium over spot at several dealers and verify the weight (41.6666 grams) and diameter (37 millimeters) to rule out reproductions before accepting a middleman's markup.