2010 Mexico 20 Pesos

This 2010 20 Pesos gold coin was struck to commemorate Mexico's 200th anniversary of independence, a milestone that saw the Casa de Moneda produce it alongside a series of other denominations in pure .900 fine gold.

Weighing in at 1.2056 grams, it features Miguel Hidalgo on the obverse, his face a stark reminder of the revolution's roots, and the reverse shows the national coat of arms encircled by the Bicentennial dates. Mintage figures? They're murky; official records from that era aren't always reliable, so I won't guess.

Some collectors chase these for the gold content alone, but don't buy into the myth that every one was hoarded by revolutionaries' descendants. That's just lazy folklore. As for designs, they hold up well, though the edge lettering can wear thin with handling.

One dry note: In numismatics, we often say gold coins are forever, but this one's value has fluctuated more than a peso in a crisis.