Obverse: identify the front

The national arms and ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS legend appear on the obverse. The representative source describes .720 fineness split around the eagle’s head; both faces must match the dated type before calculating metal.

Reverse: identify the back

The reverse carries 20 CENTAVOS and the date within a wreath, with a radiant Liberty cap above. The representative source lists 1940. Read the denomination fully: similarly designed 10 and 50 centavos have different masses.

History and purpose

This lighter .720 standard follows the reduced-size .800 twenty centavos of 1919. A large bronze twenty centavos also appears in 1920 and 1935, and a bronze type begins in 1943. Those concurrent dates cannot establish silver content without the matching 19 mm silver design and nominal mass.

How to identify this variant

Identify both faces and read the complete 20 centavos denomination and date. The included standard has 3.3333 g nominal gross mass, 0.72 silver fineness and 19 mm diameter. Earlier .903 and .800 twenty centavos, 1920/1935 large bronze coins, 1943 and later bronze designs, regional issues and patterns are excluded. Wear may reduce measured mass; a magnet, bright surface or photograph alone cannot determine precise alloy. Keep an uncertain specimen separate until its type is verified.

Understanding its metal content

The calculator uses the reference’s designated 0.0772 fine silver troy ounce for each matching coin. Three coins contribute 9.9999 nominal gross grams and 0.2316 reference fine silver troy ounces. Gross grams include alloy and must not be treated as pure silver grams. Troy and avoirdupois ounces are different units. Dollar melt pricing is unavailable until an approved provider supplies a current market quote; no missing quote is shown as zero.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

Specific annual years are 1920, 1921, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943. The reference lists a 1926/5 overdate separately. The underlying 5 does not create 1925 twice or a missing issue. Matching annual rows have multiple gaps; no 1922–1924, 1929, 1931–1932, 1936 or 1938 is inferred.

Melt value versus collector value

Preserve each specimen’s actual date, design attribution, finish, original surfaces and provenance. A date, die variety or condition may affect collector interest independently of silver content. The calculated metal amount does not establish rarity, grade or an offer. Avoid cleaning or polishing and retain any reputable certification rather than interpreting shine as proof manufacture.

Authenticity and condition

A representative 1940 photograph can illustrate an included design but cannot certify another specimen or assay its silver. Supply complete obverse, reverse and edge photographs with measured weight and diameter for identification. Patterns, plated pieces, cast copies and uncertain regional issues require separate investigation. The pictured faces do not independently prove an unseen edge or finish.

Selling this coin

Sort 20 centavos pieces by actual type, issue year and composition before adding quantities. Keep different standards and uncertain coins in separate groups. CashForCoins’ existing photo-appraisal link can carry the selected coin and quantity into an enquiry. Authentication, condition and collector demand may affect an actual offer alongside metal; this educational calculator is not a buying bid.

Sources and calculation methodology

The designated reference World Silver melt reference supplies 3.3333 g gross mass, 0.72 silver fineness and 0.0772 reference fine silver troy ounce. Matching dated KM 438 records supply actual annual rows, 19 mm diameter, designs and mint notes. Thickness and the identities of remaining alloy metals are not independently verified. Dates are read from matching annual rows rather than inferred from a broad melt-group heading. The reference valuation tables, mintages and articles are not republished. The proposed main obverse/reverse photographs are credited to Numismatica Quetzalcoatl (Gabriel Herrera) under CC BY 4.0 on Numista; unrelated edge and comparison photos are excluded.

The actual dated representative photographs and independent reuse permissions were inspected. Complete faces are retained, with WebP conversion and no enlargement, retouching or synthetic reconstruction; joined source images are split with complete rims. These photographs do not assay another specimen. Actual staging rendering and calculator acceptance are separately recorded.

Common questions

References

• NGC designated World Silver Coin Melt Values — designated weight; fineness; reference silver ounces; broader group heading (checked 2026-10-12)
• NGC matching dated Mexican type KM438 — dated identity; weight; fineness; diameter; actual dates from annual rows; design; mint and variety notes (checked 2026-10-12)
• Licensed representative main photo pair by Numismatica Quetzalcoatl (Gabriel Herrera) — main obverse/reverse photographicCCBY4.0permission; credited creator; acquisition and visual identity pending (checked 2026-10-12)

Issue-year references

• NGC designated World Silver Coin Melt Values
• NGC matching dated Mexican type KM438
• Licensed representative main photo pair by Numismatica Quetzalcoatl (Gabriel Herrera)

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-12. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

Mexican .800 Silver Twenty Centavos — 1919 Reduced Size

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

Mexico • 80% silver; remaining alloy metals not independently verified

Issue years: 1919

Fine silver: 0.093200 troy oz

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