Gold Libertad Specifications, Information & History

First produced in 1981 the Gold Libertad coin was the third modern bullion coin on sale at world markets, following the Gold Kruggerrand and the Gold Maple. It is produced by the Mexican Mint (Casa de Mondea de México) and is also known as the “Onza”. The Mexican Mint is the oldest minting facility in the Americas, having been established in 1535 on the order of the Spanish Crown. Unlike other bullion coins the Gold Libertad has no face value but is still legal tender in Mexico.

Between 1981 and 1991 purity of the Gold Libertad was .900 (or 90%, with 10% silver alloy). Initially the Libertad was available in three weights – 1oz, ½ oz and ¼ oz. Then in 1989 the production of Gold Libertad coins ceased but restarted in 1991 due to popularity of the coins. In 1991 the Mint also increased the purity to .999 (or 99%) and added two more weights – 1/10 oz and 1/20 oz, making the Gold Libertad the first bullion coin to be regularly struck in fractional sizes. However, all the sizes are struck in relatively low mint numbers which leads to swift sell outs.

Gold Libertad Technical Specifications


Size	Total Weight (g)	Fineness /1.000	Gold Content (T oz)	Gold Content (g)	Diameter (mm)	Thick (mm)
1 Oz	34.558	.900	1.00	31.104	34.54	2.55
Half	17.279	.900	0.50	15.552	?	?
Quarter	8.647	.900	0.25	7.776	?	?
Tenth	3.456	.900	0.10	3.110	?	?

During its production the design of the Libertad has seen small changes. The current Gold Libertad coin features a winged Victoria standing on the top of the Mexican Independence Victory Column on its reverse. In the earlier Libertad coins (information sources are conflicting on the year the design changed) the winged Victoria is still featured but not standing on the Mexican Independence Column, with a background landscape of the Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl volcanoes. Victoria is the Goddess of Victory and is shown on the coin with a wreath in her right hand, symbolizing victory and a broken chain in her left symbolizing freedom. Also included on the design are inscriptions of the size and purity of the coin.

The Column itself stands in downtown Mexico City and is cast in bronze and covered in Gold. It celebrates the Centenary of the Mexico War for Independence.

On the obverse of the coin is the Mexican Coat of Arms, showing an eagle holding a snake with the inscription “ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS”. On the 1oz coin only the obverse design also includes more eagles surrounding the main image, which have been used on the national emblem for years.

In 1982 the Mexican Mint introduced the Silver Libertad coin and both the Gold and Silver versions remain popular amongst collectors and investors today.