Introduced in 1981, Mexican Gold Libertad coins hold a special place in the world of precious metal collectors and investors. They owe their popularity to a unique blend of historical significance, artistic beauty, and investment value. Struck by the prestigious La Casa de Moneda de México, the oldest mint in the Americas, these coins feature iconic symbols of Mexican heritage, including the Winged Victory statue and the Mexican coat of arms with an eagle defeating a serpent. Unlike many other gold bullion coins, Gold Libertads have no face value, making their worth directly tied to the market value of their metal content. This attribute, combined with their limited annual mintages, often makes them highly sought after by collectors and investors. The blend of Mexico’s rich cultural history, represented through exquisite coin design, and the investment appeal due to their precious metal content and rarity, contribute to the Mexican Libertad coins’ enduring popularity.
What Makes Mexican Gold Libertads Special?
The obverse of the 1 oz Gold Mexican Libertad bears a finely detailed sculptural relief of the National Shield ringed by smaller images of the country’s various historic coats of arms. The reverse of the Mexican Gold Libertad is a truly stunning work of art of surpassing magnificence. It depicts national emblems held dear by the Mexican people: The Winged Victory statue against a background of the Mexican volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. Winged Victory is considered the symbol of Mexico City, and her statue is a key historic and cultural monument to the Mexican people. The volcanoes memorialize the beloved legend of the two lovers for whom they were named. The artwork on this spectacular coin is truly captivating. The graceful loveliness of the Winged Victory and the distant splendor of the volcanoes are brought almost to life on this exceptional gold coin.
The Design’s Background Story
There is an ancient Mexican legend recounting the story of the lovely Iztaccíhuatl. Her father sent her beloved, Popocatépetl, to war in Oaxaca, promising Popocatépetl that if he returned, he and Iztaccíhuatl could marry. However, Iztaccíhuatl’s father believed the young lover would never return and arranged for several other suitors to approach his daughter. Iztaccíhuatl learned of her father’s assumption. Believing that Popocatépetl could not survive the war, and knowing she could never bring herself to marry another, Iztaccíhuatl took what she felt was her only escape and killed herself with a dagger. When Popocatépetl returned against all odds only to discover his lover dead, he carried her to the top of a mountain in hopes that the cold would revive her. Instead, he froze to death. God blanketed them in snow, turning them into mountains.
Iztaccíhuatl’s mountain is called La Mujer Dormida, or The Sleeping Woman, because it resembles a woman sleeping on her back. Popocatépetl became the volcano with the same name, raining down fire upon the earth in eternal rage at the senseless death of his beloved Iztaccíhuatl. It is this passionate romance that defines the landscape depicted behind the glorious Winged Victory statue on the Mexican Gold Libertad. The beauty of this story perfectly complements the striking loveliness of this coin.
The joy of holding history, art, and wealth in the palm of your hand is one of the greatest pleasures of coin collecting and investing. The Mexican Gold Libertad provides that pleasure, plus breathtaking beauty. Collectors interested in other gold products from the Mexican Mint should consider the Gold 50 Pesos coin, another popular option.
Consider a lovely gold or silver Mexican Libertad for your collection or portfolio.
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