Mexico · 50 Pesos · 1921–1947
| Country | Mexico (Casa de Moneda de México) |
| Denomination | 50 Pesos |
| Years struck | 1921–1947 |
| Gross weight | 41.6667 g |
| Fine gold (AGW/ASW) | 37.5 g (1.2057 ozt) |
| Composition | 90.0% gold, 10.0% copper |
| Diameter | 37 mm |
| Thickness | 2.69 mm |
| Edge | Lettered: INDEPENDENCIA Y LIBERTAD |
| Designer | Emilio del Moral |
The Centenario is a 50 peso gold coin first struck in 1921 to commemorate the centennial of Mexico's independence from Spain. It contains 37.5 grams (1.2057 troy ounces) of pure gold in .900 fine coin gold — the number stamped directly on the coin ("37.5 Gr. ORO PURO"). It is one of the largest circulating-format gold coins ever issued and trades worldwide as bullion at a small premium over its gold value.
| Issue | Mintage | Rarity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1921-Mo | 180,000 | Semi-key | Details |
| 1922-Mo | 463,000 | Details | |
| 1923-Mo | 432,000 | Details | |
| 1924-Mo | 439,000 | Details | |
| 1925-Mo | 716,000 | Details | |
| 1926-Mo | 600,000 | Details | |
| 1927-Mo | 606,000 | Details | |
| 1928-Mo | 538,000 | Details | |
| 1929-Mo | 458,000 | Details | |
| 1930-Mo | 372,000 | Details | |
| 1931-Mo | 137,000 | Key date | Details |
| 1943-Mo | 89,400 | Key date | Details |
| 1944-Mo | 593,000 | Details | |
| 1945-Mo | 1,012,000 | Details | |
| 1946-Mo | 1,588,000 | Details | |
| 1947-Mo | 309,000 | Details |
Struck at the Mexico City mint from 1921 to 1931 and again from 1943 to 1947. From 1949 onward the mint produced restrikes dated 1947 to meet bullion demand, which is why the 1947 date is by far the most common. Original-date pieces from the 1920s and especially the 1931 and 1943 issues carry numismatic premiums above their substantial melt value.
The obverse depicts El Ángel — the Winged Victory of the Independence Column in Mexico City — holding a laurel wreath and broken chains, with the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl in the background. The reverse carries the Mexican eagle on a cactus devouring a serpent. The dual dates (e.g. 1821-1947) mark the independence centennial anniversary.