What is a Centenario coin, and why do people invest in it?
Did you know that people invest in Centenario coins and similar gold bullion coins? Believe it or not, they spend thousands of dollars for each one! Is it truly worth the price, and why do people purchase them anyway?
We will start by explaining how the Centenario coin came to be. Then, we’ll talk about why people are willing to spend this much on these bits of metal. More importantly, we’ll see whether or not you should buy some yourself.
Nowadays, people can invest in various assets, from stocks to even cryptocurrency. Yet, investors still depend on gold bars and coins. Read further to figure out why do this, and see if you should invest in these pieces of metal too.
What’s a Centenario coin?
The word “Centenario” means “100 years”. These coins came to be in 1921 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain.
It goes by other names too. Some call it the 50 Mexican Pesos gold coin. Others refer to it as the 50-Pesos-Centenario. The Casa De Moneda De Mexico struck the coins minted from 1921 to 1949.
There was a huge demand for these Mexican gold coins, though. That’s why Banco De Mexico issued 4 million of them from 1949 to 1972. Yet, they will show their minting year of 1949.
The 50 Pesos gold coin is one of the biggest in the Centenario coin series. The other weights are the 20 Pesos, 10 Pesos, 5 Pesos, 2.5 Pesos, and 2 Pesos.
What does it look like?
If you get your hands on a 50 Pesos Centenario coin, you’ll notice its reddish-golden color. This comes from its 10% copper content. Also, it has a small edge bar.
Instead of a rippled surface, it has a smooth edge with “Independencia y Libertad” inscribed. This phrase translates to “independence and freedom.”
The front side of the coin or the “obverse” features the Winged Victory. It’s also called the “El Ángel de la Independencia” or “angel of independence.”
You’ll see it holding the broken chains of colonialism in her left hand. Meanwhile, the right holds a laurel wreath. Behind it, you’ll see the Mexican volcanoes Popocatepetl and Iztaccihautl.
On the left, you’ll see the face value of “50 Pesos”. On the right, you’ll see the fine weight inscribed as “37.5 GR ORO PURO” or “37.5 grams of pure gold”.
Meanwhile, a coin’s backside is called the “reverse.” It shows the Mexican Coat of Arms. It has a golden eagle perched on a cactus. You will also see a serpent in its beak.
The 50 Pesos Centenario coin also meets the following specifications. You should know these if you’re planning to purchase these coins:
- Mass – 1.2057 troy oz (1 troy ounce of gold = 31.1034768 grams)
- Thickness – 2.69 mm
- Diameter – 37.1 mm
- Content – an actual gold content of 1.085 troy oz.
- Purity – 90.0% gold, 10% copper alloy
Read More: What Are Bullion Coins?
Why do people invest in coins?
Now you know what a Centenario coin looks like. Next, we will talk about why people invest in gold coins in the first place. They do it for their collection, for compensation, or inflation.
Many people like to collect things. It could be stamps, baseball cards, or even Pokémon cards. They may have fond memories of these items. That’s why they’re willing to pay so much!
Others simply want to sell them for profit. These folks know how much collectors are willing to spend on these things. For example, someone sold a sheet of Pokémon cards for $230,000+!
Meanwhile, serious investors have a long-term goal in mind when buying coins. They use Centenario coins and similar assets to hedge against inflation.
This is when the price of most goods goes up. In turn, money can’t buy the same amount of products. In other words, the value of money goes down.
Some precious metals retain their value despite these rising prices. These are also the main material for bullion coins. Investors turn their money into gold coins to protect purchasing power.
The coronavirus pandemic is causing inflation around the world. As a result, the demand for gold increased. Its price went into sharp highs and lows, though.
Should I invest in Centenario coins?
👉 known as the Centenario de oro, the Mexican 50 Peso was first issued in 1921 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Mexico’s War of Independence.
👉 Mexican 50 Peso is most noted for being one the world’s first bullion gold coins.
#buygold #bullion #goldcoin pic.twitter.com/cmFlJ6zq9a
— Core Bullion Traders (@CoreBullionTRD) June 14, 2021
There are many types of bullion coins available. For example, the US has the American Gold Eagle coins. Some are made of other metals like silver.
Investors have reasons to prefer Mexican gold Centenarios, though. See if these perks convince you to purchase the 50 Peso coins:
- More affordable than American Eagles – Centenarios cost lower markups than other bullion coins. In turn, you may get more value out of your investment.
- Heaviest gold weight – It has 20% more gold than other coins. In other words, you get more value out of each Centenario.
- Limited Supply – Low supply often means a commodity has high value. As we said, only 4 million Centenarios were minted decades ago. This means your coins are likely to remain as effective hedges against inflation.
- Valued as collectible and investment – Some gold coins are only useful as collector’s items. While they have fine craftsmanship, they don’t contain much gold. Meanwhile, Centenario coins look nice while working well as an inflation hedge.
How do I invest in the right bullion coins?
If you’re not careful, you may get scammed while buying gold coins. Make sure you know where to buy these. Note the qualities you must check in the coins. Here’s how to buy bullion coins:
- Shop around – Banks sell bullion coins at a lower price than dealers. You may purchase them online for better deals too. However, choose your online seller carefully.
- Ask help from a financial advisor – Make sure they’re licensed and knowledgeable about investing in bullion coins.
- Ask other sellers – You might find a seller with lower prices.
- Check other costs – For example, you might have to buy a safe deposit box for your Centenarios. You can’t just place the Mexican gold in a piggy bank!
- Look for a certificate of authenticity – You should get proof that your coin is made up of the right amount of gold.
Final thoughts
Centenario coins are a good investment if you’re hedging for inflation. However, its price is unlikely to go down AND up. If you want to profit, other assets might be more suitable.
If you’re willing to wait, long-term dividend stocks may help you. They will have a higher value in the long run. Even better, they provide a steady flow of income.
Please note that this is for informational purposes only. Plan your investments carefully—research assets yourself. More importantly, don’t use the money you’re not willing to lose.
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Learn more about Centenario coins
How much is a Centenario coin worth?
At the time of writing, the sell-back price of a 50 Peso Centenario coin was $2,154.46. Note that this price could change even though it’s considered a good inflation hedge. The coronavirus pandemic is causing unusual economic changes. Still, some people believe gold will prevail in the long run.
Why are Centenario coins so expensive?
They’re highly valued for their gold content, making them a good inflation hedge. People also seek them out because of the coin’s value as a collector’s item. Also, the demand for gold has been going up because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Note that this may change because of the unusual changes brought by the pandemic.
Are Mexican gold pesos a good investment?
If you’re looking to hedge against inflation, investing in Mexican gold pesos might be a good idea. Centenarios and similar coins are made of gold. This means they’re likely to maintain their value even if there’s inflation. However, this may not be a good choice if you want profits.
