2 1/2 Pesos Gold

The 2.5 Pesos gold coin, minted in Mexico from 1919 to 1945, was struck in .900 fine gold and weighed just 1.61 grams, making it a practical choice for everyday transactions in a turbulent economy.

These coins featured the Mexican coat of arms on the obverse, with an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a serpent—a design rooted in Aztec symbolism that the government repurposed for modern currency. Variations exist across the years, some with subtle changes in lettering or edge reeding, but records of exact mintages are spotty; many documents burned in the 1920s fires at the Mexico City mint.

If you're hunting for one, expect wear from circulation; few survived in pristine condition. And yes, it's often mistaken for a mere fraction of the 10 or 20 Pesos coins, but that's no laughing matter in a collector's safe.