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

Winged Victory stands above a mountainous background, with 50 PESOS to the left and 37.5 Gr. ORO PURO to the right. The official photograph carries 1821 and 1947 below. Here 1821 is the anniversary reference, while 1947 is the design’s issue face date. Both dates must be read in their roles rather than treated as two different striking years.

History and purpose

The Centenario commemorates the first centenary of Mexican independence and began in 1921. Banco de México records a pause after 1931 and renewed gold-coin manufacture in 1943. This page specifically covers the denominated 50-peso KM481 design; the distinct 1943 design without the 50 PESOS denomination needs its own subtype identification.

How to identify this variant

Match both 50 PESOS and 37.5 Gr. ORO PURO alongside Winged Victory and the national arms. The nominal diameter is 37 mm and the reference reports 41.6666 g gross. An undenominated 1943 piece, smaller gold Libertad or silver Winged Victory coin requires separate attribution. The official face photographs do not resolve edge characteristics; record the actual rim rather than assigning it from a face image.

Understanding its metal content

Three correctly identified matching coins total 3.6168 fine gold troy ounces using the reference’s reported AGW. Gross mass includes alloy metal. A separate mass-times-fineness calculation uses the displayed 41.6666 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 confirmed denominated KM481 issue dates are 1921–1931 and 1944–1947. Do not silently add the distinct undenominated 1943 type to that sequence. The reference records later restrikes commonly retaining 1947 and matte restrikes in 1996. The 1821 anniversary date and a retained 1947 face date do not establish a later coin’s manufacturing year.

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 50-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 41.6666 g gross, .900 fineness and 1.2056 fine gold troy ounce. Banco de México displays 1.20565 fine ounce and supplies the 37 mm diameter. These published amounts have different rounding; the issuer display does not silently replace the selected reference. The exact the reference type page displays 1.2057 AGW, distinct from its melt-table display; this difference is disclosed rather than conflated. 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 50 peso .900 standard; weight 41.6666 g; fineness .900; AGW 1.2056 (checked 2026-10-10)
• NGC: KM481 dates, design and restrikes — identity; dates 1921–1931, 1944–1947; design; restrikes; mass; purity; type AGW (checked 2026-10-10)
• Banco de México: Centenario gold family — identity; diameter 37 mm; .900 fineness; fine ounce display 1.20565; design and official images (checked 2026-10-10)

Issue-year references

• NGC: world gold melt specifications
• NGC: KM481 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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