Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1936-1946
Composition: Copper-Nickel
Diameter: 23.5 mm
Weight: 5.5 grams
Total Series Mintage: 129,068,000
Obverse Design: National Arms
Reverse Design: Denomination
Introduction
In 1936, a new 10 centavos coin with a composition of copper-nickel was introduced as a replacement for the previous larger bronze 10 centavos coin and smaller 10 centavos silver coin which were both circulating at the same time.
All coins were minted at the Mexico City Mint from 1936 to 1946 but no coins were issued in 1941.
Design
The obverse design features the Mexican coat of arms, an eagle clutching a snake while it perches on a prickly pear cactus. On the outer periphery is the phrase “ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS” or as translated to English “United Mexican States”.
The reverse design features the denomination “10 CENTAVOS” within the Aztec Stone Calendar. Above the denomination is the year of issue. All coins were minted at the Mexico City Mint and display an “M” mint mark in between the year of issue and denomination.
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General Market Notes
The key to the series is the 1937 issue and the semi-key is the 1938 issue.