Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1905-1943
Number of Types: 2
Composition: 80% Silver (1905-1919), 72% Silver (1920-43)
Diameter: 22 mm (1905-1914), 19 mm (1919-43)
Weight: 5 grams .1286 oz of silver 1905-14,
3.625 grams .0932 oz of silver 1919,
3.333 grams .0772 oz of silver 1920-43
Total Series Mintage: 99,010,000
Type 1 Mintage: 24,620,000
Type 2 Mintage: 74,390,000
Obverse Design: National Arms
Reverse Design: Cap and Rays
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 a Phrygian Cap with Rays which has long been symbolic of liberty free thinking on coinage. Below the design is a ¾ wreath with denomination “20 CENTAVOS” and date of issue above. In between the denomination is the mint mark “M” for the Mexico City Mint.
Types
During 1919, 20 centavo coinage received a significant change by reducing the diameter from 22 mm to 19 mm:
Type 1 – 1905-1914 Large Diameter 22 mm
Type 2 – 1919-1943 Small Diameter 19 mm
Major Varieties
Starting in 1920, the new type 2 coins were slightly modified from 1919 by reducing its silver content from .0932 to .0772 ounces of silver.
Variety 1 - 1919 80% Silver
Variety 2 - 1925-1943 Reduced 72% Silver
| Obverse 1905-19 | Obverse 1925-43 | Reverse |
|---|---|---|
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General Market Notes
Excluding errors and varieties, the key to the series is the 1908 issue and the semi-key is the 1912 issue.