Eagle Peso

The Eagle Peso's design, featuring an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a serpent, was directly inspired by the Aztec emblem adopted in Mexico's 1917 constitution, marking a bold assertion of national identity during the Revolution.

That bird on the coin never actually caught its prey, at least not in real life.

Production ran from 1910 to 1945 at the Mexico City mint, using .720 fine silver that often came from recycled sources, including melted colonial coins. Variations exist due to wartime shortages; some years show weaker strikes or altered edge lettering. Mintage figures are spotty for the 1920s, with records possibly lost in bureaucratic upheavals.

Collectors prize the 1945 version for its crisp details, but earlier issues can be dented from heavy circulation. As with many revolutionary coins, counterfeits emerged, especially in border regions. I wouldn't call it rare, though—plenty turn up in estate lots.