Lot #654: Mexico 1971 One Peso Coin - National Emblem - Eagle Cactus Snake - José María Morelos - Headwrap ("Pañuelo") - Heavy Nine Grams

Obverse: Features the National Emblem of Mexico: A Mexican golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus (nopal), devouring a snake. This image is rooted in the Aztec legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan. Below the eagle is a half-wreath of oak (representing strength) and laurel (representing victory). Lettering: ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS (United Mexican States). Reverse: Features a high-relief portrait of José María Morelos y Pavón. Unlike the general's uniform seen on the 1980s stainless steel version, this portrait is more focused on his face and famous headwrap ("pañuelo") The denomination "UN PESO" is positioned to the left of the bust, the M (Mexico City) mint mark to the right, and the year 1971 at the bottom. The Mexico 1971 One Peso is a classic "Big Peso" from Mexico's mid-century era. While it features the same national hero (José María Morelos) as the 1984 One Peso offered in Lot #652, this 1971 version is significantly larger and made of a different material. This reflects a time when the Peso had considerably more purchasing power and hadn't yet been reduced in size by inflation. If a bidder purchases both the 1971 One Peso in Lot #652, and this 1984 One Peso in Lot #654 and compares them side-by-side, you can see the literal "shrinkage" of the currency due to Mexican inflation: The 1971 Peso is large, heavy, copper-nickel, while the 1984 Peso is smaller, lightweight, stainless steel. Dimensions: Copper-Nickel 29.0 mm 9 g (Much heavier than the later 1984 steel 5.9 g peso, and roughly the size of a Canadian Loonie) Pickup category timeslot {A}