Silver Libertad

Mexican Silver Libertads

As the flagship bullion coin of Mexico, the Mexican Silver Libertad has rich, historical roots that enhance your investment. Silver Libertads are struck from .999 fine silver and come in several weights, offering an option for every budget.

A series of official seals feature on the coin’s obverse, with Mexico’s national shield at the center. It depicts an eagle perched on a cactus and carrying a snake in its beak. This seal is surrounded by ten additional seals that represent historical coats of arms used by Mexico’s provinces throughout history.

The Silver Libertad’s reverse features two iconic Mexican symbols. The first is Winged Victory, the Victory Angel, who represents Mexico’s freedom from Spain. She holds a laurel wreath and broken chain. The second symbol is the two volcanoes that sit on either side of Winged Victory, representing two figures from pre-Columbian Mexican mythology.

The Tale of Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl

The two volcanoes mentioned above are named after Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl, a pair of lovers from old Mexican lore. According to the legend, Popocatepetl was a brave warrior who went to battle with the promise that, upon his return, he could marry Iztaccihuatl, the king’s daughter. While Popocatepetl was away fighting, Iztaccihuatl caught wind of a rumor that he had been killed. She was inconsolable and the loss of her beloved made her refuse sleep and food. She eventually fell ill and died. When Popocatepetl returned, he was heartbroken to learn about her death. He took her body to the woods, where his fate mirrored that of the princess. Their bodies were reclaimed by the earth and two volcanoes sprouted up. The two lovers were immortalized and Popocatepetl was able to eternally watch over Iztaccihuatl .

Minting History of Mexico

In 1535, a Spanish viceroy named Antonio de Mendoza was sent to the New World with a mission to found a mint in the area under the Spanish crown. He established the National Mint of Mexico, known locally as the Casa de Moneda de Mexico, which is the oldest mint in the Americas.

The mint began producing real coins in silver and “maravedis coins” in copper (these eventually evolved into the better known peso). Pesos made of silver were widely circulated across North America, and made their way over to Asia into the 1800s. These high-quality coins provided inspiration for numerous other coins, including the American dollar, the Chinese yuan, and the Japanese yen.

Modern Minting

In 1982, The Mexican Mint began producing Silver Libertads. Their design was based on the 50 peso Centenario coin that was issued between 1921 and 1947. The Libertad represents Mexico’s history and culture, and many collectors and industry professionals consider it to be one of the most beautiful coins ever made.

Beginning in 1983, all coins produced by the Mexican Mint have been minted at the San Luis Potosi facility. The mint’s original site is now the headquarters for the Museo Nacional de las Culturas, located in Mexico City.

The limited mintages of Silver Libertads make them a less common find in North American portfolios, making it a uniquely valuable coin to investors and collectors. Fortunately, Provident offers Silver Libertads in brilliant uncirculated condition, so be sure to check our selection if you wish to add this coin to your bullion collection.