Take flight with winged victory when you bring home the 1988 Mexican Silver Libertad. The official silver bullion coin of the National Mint of Mxico, each Libertad is composed of 1 oz of .999 fine silver.

The reverse features winged Victoria on top of the Mexican Independence Victory Column. In the background, the twin volcanoes Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl stretch into the distance. The words 1 ONZA PLATA PURA 1988 LEY .999 are inscribed around the rim.

The obverse showcases the Mexican coat of arms — the eagle devouring the snake, with the words ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS.

The volcanoes are an important link in Mexico’s history. The pair are called “Smoking Mountain” (Popocatepetl) and “White Woman” (Iztaccihuatl) in the native tongue. Legend has it that Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl were once lovers, now doomed to rest eternally on the landscape.

Iztaccihuatl was a beautiful princess who fell in love with the warrior Popocatepetl. He was sent off to war, and the message that Popocatepetl had died made its way to the fair maiden. She was so distraught, she grieved for days, neither eating nor drinking, until she collapsed in a death-like sleep from which no one could wake her.

But Popocatepetl was not dead! He returned from war to find his beloved fast asleep, and even he could not wake her. He picked her up and carried her, determined to ask the gods to wake her.

The gods answered by turning the lovers into mountains, so they could rest together forever. It is said that that is why Popocatepetl resembles a man kneeling down in tears, while Iztaccihuatl is in the shape of a sleeping woman.

Celebrate this heart-rending tale when you collect the 1988 Mexican Silver Libertad, now available at Provident Metals.