1916 Mexico 10 Centavos

The 1916 10 Centavos coin was struck in silver during the height of Mexico's revolutionary upheaval, using equipment that had survived multiple regime changes.

That makes it a rare example of continuity in a fractured era. The obverse shows the Mexican eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a serpent, a design borrowed from the national seal. The reverse simply states the denomination and date, with no frills.

We don't know the exact mintage, as records from that period are spotty. What we do have are coins that circulated widely, often showing wear from everyday use in a war-torn economy.

As for me, after thirty years of handling these, I've seen enough to know that silver always holds its value better than promises.