1957 Mexico 20 Centavos

The 1957 20 Centavos from Mexico introduced a new portrait of José María Morelos on its obverse, a deliberate shift from the eagle emblem that had dominated previous designs. This change reflected Mexico's ongoing efforts to honor its independence heroes more directly in coinage. Made from aluminum-bronze, the coin weighed around 4.5 grams and measured 23 mm across, making it sturdy yet light for circulation.

Production occurred at the Mexico City mint, though exact figures are murky—records from that era were often incomplete. Some specimens show a subtle rim variation, possibly from die wear, which keen handlers notice right away. It's not rare, but finding one without the typical edge nicks can be a minor thrill.

I've turned a few of these over in my hands, and they still feel modern, even after all this time.