Mexico provides a trio of collectible gold 20 Pesos for this week’s preview of the October Collectors Choice Online Auction. These Republican issues are dated 1882/1, 1898 and 1902, with all three produced at the Mexico City mint. These coins share a design, with the obverse featuring a collection of symbolic items. The balance scales stand in for justice, with a scroll inscribed "Ley" (Law) obviously for Law and the Liberty Cap (Phrygian Cap). This final symbol was taken from the French Revolution which based their idea of a "Liberty Cap" from a misrepresentation of the Roman "Pileus" which was a similarly shaped hat that freed slaves would wear. The inscription for each of these three pieces states: "Mo M. VEINTE PESOS 875". These symbols stand for Mexico City (as a mintmark), the Assayer’s initial, 20 Pesos and finally the fineness of the gold. The reverse design is dominated by the resplendent Mexican Eagle perched atop a cactus, holding a writhing snake in its talons and beak. An oak and laurel half-wreath appears below the motif, with the upper inscription "Republica Mexicana" completing the design. The dates differ for each of these three pieces, and are found below the wreath on each piece.
Each coin is graded MS-63 by NGC. The 1882/1 piece is the single finest certified at either NGC or PCGS and displays subtle honey-gold tone. The 1898 example is tied with one other piece for finest certified with a total population of just three at PCGS and NGC. Despite the substantial mintage of 20,000 the 1898-Mo type has not appeared in a major auction in over a decade. The 1902 piece, though technically a common date, possesses a quality that is anything but common. It offers razor sharp strike details, great satiny surfaces and appealing honey tone throughout with frosted devices.
We are currently accepting consignments of World and Ancient coins and World Paper Money for our January 2019 New York International Auction as well as the May 2019 Collector’s Choice Online Auction. We are also seeking consignments of Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for our March 2019 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. Time is running short, so if you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) contact one of our Consignment Directors.
