1 Onza 'Libertad'

The Libertad series launched in 1981 as Mexico's answer to the Krugerrand and Maple Leaf, deliberately positioned outside the Banco de México's legal tender framework — these coins carry no face value, insulating them from peso devaluations that have repeatedly eroded confidence in Mexican currency since the 1976 float. The .999 fineness, finer than the old 50 Peso "Centenario" that preceded it, was a direct commercial decision to compete in international bullion markets.

Mintages within this date range fluctuate sharply year to year, with some issues in the low thousands — the 2012 one-ounce gold, for instance, saw a mintage of roughly 1,500 pieces.