u/Humble-Lawfulness-12

There’s just something about the classic Mexican private bank issues that modern currency can’t replicate.

This Banco de Zacatecas 10 Pesos remainder has incredible ABNC engraving, dramatic industrial/mining imagery on the face, and an insanely detailed cityscape reverse.

Never issued for circulation either, which makes it even cooler seeing one survive in this kind of shape 100+ years later. Modern notes feel sterile compared to this.

One of my favorite Cuban crown designs and honestly much rarer than I think most people realize. There are 3 main varieties of these, all with mintages under 5k, and most survivors have been cleaned, dipped, or otherwise messed with over the last 125+ years.

This is the Type 3 “Star Above 97” variety in an old-holder PCGS MS60 that I finally sent back in for reconsideration because the grade always felt way too harsh to me. In hand, it has far better eye appeal than a low-end mint state coin should.

What’s also wild is that even the mid-20th century commemorative restrikes bring strong numismatic premiums today and are also tough to find. These original 1897 pieces just feel seriously underrated.

Any guesses or estimates about whether PCGS will bump the grade or not???

Picked most of these up around a year ago and originally planned to sell/trade at least a few of them, but I honestly haven’t been able to bring myself to let any go yet.

Mix of:
• PCGS MS70s
• PR70DCAM proofs
• First Day of Issue labels
• and a few raw examples

The more I handled them side by side, the more I started appreciating how good the Libertad design really is across different finishes and formats. The proof coins especially are incredible in hand!

I almost never buy moderns for packaging or labels, but this one got me.

2024 Mexico 1 Onza Libertad in an NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo holder with the Sugar Skull label, paired with an aftermarket Día de los Muertos-style presentation box. The box isn’t official NGC/Mexican Mint packaging, but whoever made it did a pretty great job matching the aesthetic of the label.

Usually I’m strictly a “buy the coin, not the gimmick” person, but for a modern Mexican issue like this, the presentation honestly works really well together. Curious what others think — cool display piece or too gimmicky?

A few of my favorite pieces of modern Mexican fractional gold — including several Gold Libertads in top PCGS and NGC grades.

There’s something especially appealing about Mexican fractional. Even at tiny sizes like 1/4 and 1/10 oz, the strike detail on the Libertad design remains incredibly sharp, particularly on proof issues.

Featured here:
• 2023-Mo 1/4 oz Gold Libertad – PCGS PR70DCAM First Day of Issue
• Multiple 1/10 oz Gold Libertads in PCGS/NGC 70 grades
• Modern Mexican fractional gold bullion issues from the Casa de Moneda de México

The Gold Libertad series has developed a strong international collector base over the past decade due to:
• comparatively low mintages
• iconic and timeless Winged Victory design
• premium strike quality
• limited distribution outside Mexico

In my opinion, modern Mexican fractional gold remains one of the most visually attractive world bullion series currently being produced.

One of my favorite designs from the private Mexican bank era: a 1914 Banco de Durango 100 Pesos issue printed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNCo).

This note combines several elements that make early Mexican banknotes so visually compelling:
• intricate ABNCo lathework
• allegorical seated female figure
• steamship vignette
• large ornate denomination counters
• bold provincial bank typography

Issued during the turbulent years surrounding the Mexican Revolution, these Banco de Durango notes were payable “en moneda de plata” (in silver coin), reflecting the specie-backed banking system that existed prior to the collapse of many regional banks during the revolutionary period.

Details:
• Banco de Durango
• 100 Pesos
• Series H
• Dated March 1, 1914
• Printed by American Bank Note Company, New York

In my opinion, the engraving quality and overall artistry of these early provincial Mexican issues rival many classic large-size U.S. banknotes from the same era.

A modern favorite from the Mexican Mint: the 2025 1/20 Onza Silver Libertad, graded NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo with First Day of Issue designation.

With an extremely limited reported mintage of just 200 pieces, these tiny fractional proof Libertads are among the scarcer modern issues from the series.

Even at this miniature size, the proof strike quality is impressive. The mirrored fields and frosted devices create strong cameo contrast, especially on the iconic Winged Victory design.

The Libertad series has become one of the most recognizable modern bullion programs in the world, and the low-mintage fractional proofs have developed a particularly strong collector following.

Specs:
• 2025-Mo Mexico 1/20 Onza
• Silver Proof Libertad
• Mintage: 200
• NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
• First Day of Issue

The miniature format really highlights how intricate the Libertad design is — especially the eagle-and-snake national arms on the reverse.

One of the most iconic commemorative issues of mid-century Mexico: the 1950 Southern Railroad 5 Pesos commemorative, graded PCGS MS63.

Issued to commemorate the inauguration of the Southeastern Railroad (“Ferrocarril del Sureste”), this large silver 5 Pesos features a detailed locomotive design on the reverse and the classic Mexican national eagle on the obverse.

This example displays attractive rainbow peripheral toning with strong color progression across both sides, especially around the obverse legend and reverse rims.

Specs:
• 1950-Mo 5 Pesos
• Southern Railroad / Ferrocarril del Sureste
• KM-466
• Silver (.720 fine)
• PCGS MS63

These have become increasingly popular with both Mexican coin collectors and toned coin enthusiasts due to their large size, detailed artwork, and tendency to develop vibrant album toning.

One of the more fascinating and historically important issues from the Mexican Revolution period: a 1915 Guerrero “Taxco” Peso, graded PCGS AU55.

These revolutionary pesos were issued under the Libertad y Constitución movement in Guerrero during the height of the Mexican Revolution and circulated as emergency regional coinage at a time when centralized monetary authority had largely broken down.

An especially interesting aspect of this issue is the inscription “ORO: 0.300,” indicating that the coin contains approximately 0.300 grams of fine gold alongside its silver content — an unusual composition for a revolutionary issue of the era.

This example is attributed by PCGS as:
• 1915-GRO Peso
• Mex-Guerrero
• Taxco KM-672
• PCGS AU55

The crude yet bold revolutionary design, local issuance, metallic composition, and turbulent historical context make these among the most compelling coins of the Mexican Revolution in my opinion.

Would love to see other revolutionary issues posted here as the community grows.

It seemed fitting to begin this community with what is widely considered Mexico’s first national paper money issue — an 1823 Empire of Iturbide 1 Peso (Pick 1c), certified PMG 63 EPQ.

A few reasons this note is historically important:

• Issued just after Mexican independence from Spain (1821) during the short-lived First Mexican Empire under Agustín de Iturbide
• Dated January 1, 1823 — only months before the empire collapsed
• Cataloged as Pick #1, making it the starting point for Mexican national paper money in most standard references
• Printed as an emergency government obligation rather than a modern central bank note

The text translates roughly to:

“The Mexican Empire promises to pay this amount of one peso…”

At the time, Mexico was struggling with severe fiscal problems after the war for independence. The government lacked sufficient silver coinage and attempted to circulate paper obligations backed by the state. Public distrust of paper money was extremely high in Mexico during this era, which is one reason these early issues had limited success and survival.

This example is also:
• Pen cancelled
• PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated EPQ
• Endorsed on the reverse in Oaxaca, dated May 16, 1825 — a fascinating post-imperial circulation endorsement after Iturbide had already fallen from power

What makes these especially interesting is how crude and transitional they are compared to later Banco de Londres y México or Banco Nacional notes. They still feel closer to colonial-era treasury paper than modern banknotes.

These rarely appear in high grade because:
• Most circulated heavily
• Many were redeemed/cancelled/destroyed
• The thin paper was fragile
• Mexico’s early political instability led to poor archival survival

Would love to see other early Mexican Empire or Republican provisional notes if anyone here collects this area.

Just picked up this incredible Banco de Coahuila 5 Pesos specimen note graded PMG 67 EPQ. Gorgeous ABNC engraving, zero serials, punch cancels, red SPECIMEN overprint, with an incredible engraved nude reverse design typical of classic ABNC work.

Only 2 examples graded at 67 EPQ with none finer, making this a true top-pop Mexican specimen note.

My personal favorite art from a world banknote series are the 1979 Sri Lanka (Ceylon) rupees. This is an example of the 20 rupees note, but I also like the art on many of the other denominations from this series. Anyone else familiar with these?

Have recently grown more interested in world banknotes, including many early Mexican pesos as well as some modern commemorative issues, 1896 Uruguay pesos, late 19th / early 20th century Costa Rica colones, and 1979 Ceylon rupees.  I enjoy the artistic and colorful designs of these notes in particular.  I have a few other old Costa Rica notes coming in soon, along with some of the others I mentioned, and I look forward to examining them once in hand 👍 

Early in life, Donald Jessica Trump knew he wanted to serve others, so he utilized legal leverage and aggressive eviction tactics to collect rent and ensured white majority for tenants in his father’s local apartment building.  

During this time, while Donald was excited about the prospect of using weapons to pursue and eradicate Vietnamese civilians in a jungle, his physical capabilities unfortunately limited his options.  

When the country called and asked for his service, he avoided the military draft five times during the Vietnam War, using a combination of student deferments and a medical deferment for a condition known as bone spurs. This has led to significant criticism regarding his avoidance of military service.  

Trump, who once bowled and coordinated a photo op while holding the bowling leagues championship trophy, was unable to join at a time when his country needed him.  Today Trump can be found picking fights with world leaders and raising money for an underground bunker at his home.

Donald Trump avoided the military draft five times during the Vietnam War, using a combination of student deferments and a medical deferment for a condition known as bone spurs. This has led to significant criticism regarding his avoidance of military service.

According to Reserve & National Guard Magazine, Pete Hegseth chose Princeton over an offer from the United States Military Academy to play for the school's basketball team.