Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1964, 1966
Composition: Copper-Nickel
Diameter: 23 mm
Weight: 5.5 grams
Total Series Mintage: 20,866,000
1964 – 20,686,000
1966 – 180,000
Obverse Design: National Arms
Reverse Design: Bust Design
Introduction
In 1964 the Mexico City Mint re-introduced a 25 centavos coin but in a base metal composition of copper-nickel instead of silver like its predecessors. With similar results to the previous Scales version from the early 1950s this new series also met a quick end in 1966 and no coins minted in 1965 making this a two year type coin.
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 bust image of Madero. Above the design on the outer periphery is the denomination “VEINTICINCO CENTAVOS” (twenty five centavos) and year of issue. To the right of the bust is the mint mark “Mo” for the Mexico City Mint.
Francisco Madero was a Mexican politician and revolutionary who helped remove and force then President Diaz into exile. Madero would replace Diaz as President in 1911 but many groups became disenchanted with Madero's handling of Mexico's problems and in 1913, revolted and executed him. Though deposed and executed Madero is recognized as being the first President of the new revolutionary government.
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General Market Notes
Though 1966 only had a total mintage of 180,000 they were saved in high numbers and uncirculated grades are only slightly more than their 1964 counterparts.
Another feature of 1966 coins is a variety of the obverse design often referred to as beak open & beak closed. Of the two, beak open is the more valued of the two.