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1 oz. Mexican Gold Libertad

Libertad translated in English means 'Freedom'

The Libertad is a symbol of Mexico's Independence; Mexico won its independence from Spain on August 24th, 1821.

However, this is not the date of its celebrated 'Independence Day,' that date is September 16th.

On September 16th, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, started the Mexican War of Independence when he gave his famous speech "Grito de Dolores" or “Cry of Delores,” named after the town in Guanajuato where it took place.

He rang the bell of his church to get the town's attention, and he called on the people to rise against their Spanish-European occupiers.

Note:
In the United States, 'Cinco de Mayo' is often misinterpreted as Mexico's Independence Day.  Although 'Cinco de Mayo' a.k.a the '5th of May' does celebrate a significant victory in Mexico's history, it's not the county's Independence Day.

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History of the Gold Libertad

The Angel of Independence

Design & Photos

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'Coins' & 'Rounds' Defined

Coin Info

Mintage Figures

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Where You Can Buy
Gold Libertads

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The History of
the Gold Libertad

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The Mexican Gold Libertad was first introduced in 1981.

In 1981, the Mexican Mint began production of the 1 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1/4 oz Gold Libertads.

Little is known about the first ten years of Gold Libertad production, in fact, mintage figures are only available for its first year of minting.

From 1982 thru 1990, mintage figures for the Gold Libertad are very hard to find, and additional information about the Libertad is limited.

Gold Libertads are made of .999 fine gold and are minted in the following sizes; 1/20, 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, and one troy ounce.

The 1/10oz and 1/20oz bullion coins were added to the bullion series in 1991.

From 1981 thru 1994, the Gold Libertad Onza portrayed the same design as the Centenario “Winged Victory" Angel taken from Mexico's 50-peso gold bullion coin (pictured above right).

There were no Libertads minted from 1995 to 1999.

The Mexican Mint resumed the production of the 1oz. Gold Libertad in 2000, but stopped again in 2001 and 2002, then in 2003 they resumed to mint the Libertad and have without interruption.

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The Libertad's New Design

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In the year 2000, due to the high demand of gold coins, the Mexican Mint started to mint the Gold Libertad again, but this time with a new design.

The reverse side's new design displayed a different "Winged Victory" Angel from the ONZA, this gave the Gold Libertad the same reverse design of the Silver Libertads.

Since the year 2000, the Mexican Mint has minted the '1oz.' Gold Libertads, every year, without interruption.

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The Angel of Independence

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El Ángel de la Independencia or The Angel of Independence is the famous statue of Winged Victory, located at the roundabout in the Paseo de la Reforma, in downtown Mexico City.

The Angel of Independence is depicted as flying atop a victory column known as the "Independence Column or Columna de la Independencia."

"El Angel," as the statue is commonly known, holds in her right hand a laurel crown, symbolizing Victory, and in her left hand, she holds a broken chain, symbolizing Freedom.

Built in 1910, to commemorate the Centennial of the beginning of Mexico's War of Independence, the Statue is made of bronze and covered in 24k gold; it weighs 7 tons.

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Design of the
1 oz. Mexican Gold Libertads

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Obverse

The center of the obverse side of the Mexican Gold Libertad features the National Coat of Arms of Mexico.

The coat of arms depicts a Mexican Golden Eagle perched upon a cactus with a snake in its beak.

It symbolizes Tenochtitlan, the Aztec Capital, now Mexico City.

There is a wreath below the eagle, half of it is made of oak leaves, and the other half is made of laurel leaves.

The Laurel leaves represent Victory, and the Oak leaves commemorate those who have given their lives for Mexico.

Surrounding the Coat of Arms are the words “ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS.” (The Official Name for Mexico in Spanish)

Encircling the Eagle are ten various Coat of Arms used throughout Mexico’s history.

The edge on the 1 oz. Gold Libertad is reeded.

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Reverse

The reverse side of the Mexican Gold Libertad features the "Winged Victory" Angel design.

The angel is depicted towering above the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl.

The volcanoes are memorialized in the legend of two Aztec lovers for whom they were named after.

Inscribed along the top of the 1 oz. Mexican Gold Libertad is "1 ONZA" (one ounce), "ORO PURO" (pure gold).

The year of issue is also inscribed along the top of the Gold Libertad, along with the word "Ley" (pure) ".999" representing the Libertad's purity.

The Mint Mark of the Mexican Mint is inscribed to the left of the Winged Angel with the symbol of the "M" under an "O."

Note: The 1 oz. Mexican Gold Libertad has no face value.

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Mexican Libertad
Are they Bullion Coins or Rounds?

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The Mexican Libertad is technically a Bullion 'Round,' and Not a Bullion 'Coin,' the differences are slight but important to know.

Bullion Coins have a 'face value' because the term 'Coin' is used specifically for government backed legal tender. 

Bullion Rounds have no 'face value' because in most cases 'Rounds' are manufactured by a private mint or a privately held entity, and no government backs them.

There are some exceptions to this rule, one example being the Mexican Libertad.

The Mexican Mint produces Gold and Silver Libertads, under the authority of the Central Bank of Mexico (Banco de Mexico), and the Mexican Government.

However, Silver and Gold Libertads DO NOT have a Face Value, and for this reason, they are often referred to as Rounds and not Coins.

You can learn more about a Bullion Coin's anatomy here.

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1 oz. Mexican Gold Libertad
Coin Information:

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Introduction:........1981

IRA approved:.......Yes

Grade:..................Uncirculated

Face Value:...........No

Gold Content:........1 Troy oz. (ozt.)

Total Weight:........31.11 grams

Purity:..................99.90% / .999

karat:...................24 karat

Diameter:.............34.00mm

Mint Mark:.............Yes

Edge:....................Reeded

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1 oz. Mexican Gold Libertad
Mintage Figures

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Year     Mintage

1981....596,000

1991....109,193

1992....46,281

1993....73,881

1994....1,000

1995....0

1996....0

1997....0

1998....0

1999....0

2000....1,730

2001....0

2002....0

2003....1,000

2004....5,500

2005....2,000

2006....2,000

2007....2,500

2008....800

2009....6,200

2010....4,000

2011....3,000

2012....3,000

2013....2,350

2014....4,050

2015....4,800

2016....4,100

2017....900

2018....2,050

2019....2,000

2020....1,100

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