Mexico 10 Centavos Silver

The 10 Centavos silver coin, first minted in 1867, was one of the few Mexican denominations that survived multiple regime changes without a redesign, thanks to its simple eagle-and-serpent motif.

This coin was typically struck at the Mexico City mint, using .903 fine silver planchets that reflected the era's mining output from states like Zacatecas. Sizes varied slightly over the years, from 17mm to 20mm in diameter, but it always weighed around 2.5 grams. Mintage figures are spotty for the earlier decades; records for 1870-1890 were likely destroyed in various upheavals, so exact numbers remain uncertain.

Over its lifespan, it circulated as everyday money, from paying rurales to funding rural markets. Not every year saw production—gaps occurred during the Revolution—but it persisted until 1942, when silver shortages forced a switch to cupronickel. A numismatist might note that these coins turn up in bulk hoards, often more tarnished than treasured.