Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1980-1985
Composition: Copper-Nickel
Diameter: 27 mm
Weight: 10.4 grams (approximate)
Total Mintage: 410,599,999
Obverse Design: National Arms
Reverse Design: Statue Design
Introduction
In the early 1980’s most of Mexico’s circulating coinage was introduced to a new design theme embracing historical Mesoamerican art. One example of these coins is the Quetzalcoatl 5 Pesos series which ran from 1980 to 1985.
Quetzalcoatl is the Aztec god of wind, knowledge, learning, Venus, and dawn. Quetzalcoatl is most known for being the creator of the fifth world. Mesoamerican art portrays Quetzalcoatl as a feathered serpent with the most famous images being the carved stone head at the Ciudadela complex in Teotihuacan which also served as the model for the reverse design.
Design
The obverse design features the Mexican coat of arms, an eagle clutching a snake while it perches on a prickly pear cactus. In an arc around the design is the phrase “ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS”.
The reverse design features an image of Quetzalcoatl facing left. Above the design is the denomination “5 $” and mint mark “Mo” for the Mexico City Mint. Just below the design the name “Quetzalcoatl”.
The coin edge is lettered with the phrase "INDEPENDENCIA Y LIBERTAD".
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General Market Notes
All years were made in large mintages making them affordable and easy to obtain.