Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1983-1984
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 20 mm
Weight: 3.0 grams
Total Series Mintage: 440,320,000
1983 – 260,000,000 (circulation), 53 (proof)
1984 – 180,320,000 (circulation)
Obverse Design: National Arms
Reverse Design: Statue Design
Introduction
In 1983 the Mexico City Mint replaced the Madero 20 centavos coinage with a new 20 centavos coin and a design based on the ancient Olmec Culture. The Olmec were the first major pre-Columbian civilization to emerge in Mexico and its origins date back to circa 1400 BC.
Unfortunately, due to hyperinflation, the 20 centavos denomination and all centavo coinage would cease to be issued and by 1984 the series came to an abrupt end making this a short lived two year type coin. This would remain the last 20 centavos coin until 1993 when coinage reform was introduced by President Carlos Salinas de Gortari in an attempt to reign in hyperinflation and centavo coinage returned to circulating coins.
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 representation of an Olmec Colossal Head statue with the denomination “20c” just below. To left of the design is the mint mark “Mo” for the Mexico City Mint and the words “CULTURO OLMECO”. To the right of the design is the year of issue.
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General Market Notes
Excluding proofs, there are no rarities for the series and all examples are readily available.