Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1950-1973
Number of Types: 2
Composition: Brass
Diameter: 16 mm, 13 mm (1970-73)
Weight: 2 grams, 1.5 grams (1970-73)
Total Series Mintage: 208,895,000
Total Type 1 Mintage: 205,895,000
Total Type 2 Mintage: 3,000,000
Obverse Design: National Arms
Reverse Design: Oat Sprig
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 an oat sprig with denomination “1C” above. Below the design is the year of issue and the mint mark “Mo” for the Mexico City Mint.
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Types
In 1970, the centavo was drastically reduced in size to only 13 mm. Unfortunately the series would end shortly after the change in 1973 and it would represent the last year a centavo coin would be issued for circulation.
Type 1 – Oat Centavo Large Diameter
Type 2 – Oat Centavo Small Diameter
General Market Notes
There are no rarities for the series and uncirculated examples are very affordable that can be found at prices below price guide values.
For a possible sleeper look for any type 2 coin (1970-1973). These coins were only issued for three years with a total mintage of 3,000,000. While affordable these are hard coins to find for sale and tend to frustrate some collectors.