1890 Mexican 1 Peso

The 1890 Mexican 1 Peso was struck using silver from the country's own mines, a practical move that helped stabilize the economy amid global fluctuations in the metal's value.

That silver came from places like the Guanajuato or Zacatecas deposits, refined to a fineness of 0.903 and weighed at 27.07 grams. The obverse shows the Mexican eagle gripping a serpent on a cactus, a design rooted in Aztec symbolism but simplified for mass production. On the reverse, you'll find the denomination and date, along with the Mexico City mint mark.

Exact mintage figures? Those records burned in the 1910 Revolution chaos, so we're left guessing. As for myths, I've heard tales of these coins funding revolutions—pure romantic nonsense. They were just currency, circulating from border towns to distant ports.

Some collectors swear by the luster on high-grade specimens, but don't ask me to get excited; after thirty years, I've seen enough shiny silver to fill a vault.