Obverse: identify the front

The official Banco de México photograph shows the Mexican national arms, with an eagle, snake and cactus, under ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS. Compare the complete arms and the opposite face together. The national emblem also appears on other denominations and alloys; it cannot establish metal content by itself.

Reverse: identify the back

The issuer reference shows Hidalgo facing left, DIEZ PESOS beside his portrait and the face date 1959 to the right. The name Hidalgo describes the person in the design, while DIEZ PESOS identifies this denomination. The same portrait family on a smaller coin does not establish the ten-peso mass.

History and purpose

Banco de México connects this Hidalgo design to the monetary reform of 1905 and identifies Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla as the national figure portrayed. This .900 ten-peso standard is distinct from the older .875 ten-peso gold family. Both appear in the reference table at the 1905 boundary, so design and weight are essential.

How to identify this variant

Read DIEZ PESOS and match the Hidalgo portrait. The .900 reference is 8.3333 g gross and 22.5 mm in diameter. The reference’s older .875 ten-peso standard is 16.92 g with 0.476 reference fine gold troy ounce. That older coin must not inherit the modern Hidalgo inputs, including when a date overlaps.

Understanding its metal content

Three correctly identified matching coins total 0.7233 fine gold troy ounces using the reference’s reported AGW. Gross mass includes alloy metal. A separate mass-times-fineness calculation uses the displayed 8.3333 g and .900 inputs; its rounding can differ from reported AGW. Neither calculation measures wear or tests an individual coin, and an uncertain or differently specified piece should not be included.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

The reviewed dates are 1905–1908, 1910, 1916–1917, 1919–1920 and 1959. There is no continuous 1905–1959 issue sequence in the matching reference table. The reference documents later restrikes commonly dated 1959 and matte restrikes made in 1996; inspect the finish and retained documentation separately from the visible date.

Melt value versus collector value

Keep the actual date, any overdate detail, finish, packaging and ownership records with the coin. A documented original issue and a later retained-date restrike can require different collector assessments despite a shared metal standard. Neither the nominal gold amount nor an attractive reference photograph supplies a grade or guarantees a premium. Preserve the existing surfaces for examination.

Authenticity and condition

Photograph both faces and the complete rim in good light without polishing or scratching the coin. Compare the denomination, date, design and nominal dimensions, and keep any holder or certificate associated with its actual specimen. A correct-looking face or plausible mass is only an identification check. Leave an uncertain piece outside the count until its identity and metal are examined.

Selling this coin

Sort 10-peso coins by the exact design and composition before entering quantities. Include clear face and rim photographs, the visible date and any finish or restrike evidence with the existing appraisal request. Older standards, mounted coins and pieces with uncertain identity need individual review. The reference calculation supplies a metal quantity, not a promised purchase price for an unseen coin.

Sources and calculation methodology

The reference’s owner-selected world gold melt row controls 8.3333 g gross, .900 fineness and 0.2411 fine gold troy ounce. Banco de México displays 0.24113 fine ounce and supplies the 22.5 mm diameter. These published amounts have different rounding; the issuer display does not silently replace the selected reference. The reference’s matching dated type and issuer references are linked separately. Dates describe confirmed face issues and explicitly documented exceptions, not continuous production between endpoints. Genuine issuer photographs are attributed and retain their original dimensions; small reference images do not certify every date or finish. Market pricing remains unavailable until a live provider is approved, so a missing dollar value is not displayed as zero.

Common questions

References

• NGC: world gold melt specifications — identity 10 peso .900 standard; weight 8.3333 g; fineness .900; AGW 0.2411 (checked 2026-10-10)
• NGC: KM473 dates, design and restrikes — identity; dates 1905–1908, 1910, 1916–1917, 1919–1920, 1959; design; restrikes; mass; purity; type AGW (checked 2026-10-10)
• Banco de México: Centenario gold family — identity; diameter 22.5 mm; .900 fineness; fine ounce display 0.24113; design and official images (checked 2026-10-10)

Issue-year references

• NGC: world gold melt specifications
• NGC: KM473 dates, design and restrikes
• Banco de México: Centenario gold family

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-11. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

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