The Mexican 50 Peso Gold Coin is the type of item that is not only highly valued for its gold content, but it is also a piece of history ingrained in the consciousness of Mexicans everywhere. First issued in 1921, this coin commemorates the Centennial of Mexican Independence from the Spanish Empire.
In 1910 the nation of Mexico celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the start of its War for Independence. As part of the commemoration, a 118 foot high column was constructed and placed in Mexico City. The column is called “El Ángel de la Independencia” or “El Ángel” for short and is translated as “The Angel of Independence”. At the top of this column is a gold-plated statue of Nike, the ancient goddess of Victory, popular throughout the world as a tribute to victory or independence. “El Ángel” is holding out a laurel victory wreath in her right hand over the tombs of revolutionary heroes below. In the figure’s left hand is a broken chain, symbolizing freedom and liberty.
The 50 Peso Coin to mark the centennial of the end of the war contains the image of “El Ángel” in striking pose on the obverse of the coin. In the background of the image can be seen Pepocatepetl and Iztaccihautl, ancient and famous volcanoes of the land.
The reverse of the coin contains an image of the famous Mexican Coat of Arms. An eagle is sitting perched upon a flowering cactus eating a snake. To the ancient Aztecs, this image had deep religious connotation and symbolized the founding of the ancient great city of Tenochtitlan. Modern interpretations generally portray the eagle as representing Mexico devouring its enemies (the snake) while overcoming challenges, troubles, and discomforts (the cactus). The images of water and land on the Coat symbolize the natural resources, or perhaps the ethnic history of the current Mexican population. The oak leaves encircling the image commemorate the lives of those who have died in service to the nation.
Full of imagery and history, the Mexican 50 Peso coin also is valuable for its content. Unlike most other minted coins where the standard weight is 1 ounce, the Peso actually weights 1.32 ounces meaning that its gold content is 1.2 ounces and the balance is copper. Based solely on gold content, the Mexican Peso coin is more valuable than nearly any other minted bullion coin.
Lessons regarding the value of gold can also be learned from Mexican history. In the middle 1990s Mexico suffered a currency crisis, devaluing the fiat money supply. Inflation surged to nearly 50% as the purchasing power of the currency was devastated. Investors who held gold were able to weather this storm as gold remained stable and held its value. Investing in gold such as the Mexican 50 Peso Coin can help individuals withstand the uncertainty and volatility of paper currencies.