How do I identify a Mexican coin I have?

Use the guided finder above: enter what you already know about your coin (the year engraved on it, the denomination on the reverse, the approximate era, the material). The finder filters over 1,800+ pieces in the Pesoteca catalog and shows matches in seconds. If you don't see your piece, post it to the forum for manual identification.

What information do I need about the coin to identify it?

Any ONE of these details already narrows the list a lot: (1) the year engraved on the reverse, (2) the denomination (1 peso, 20 pesos, 50 centavos), (3) the approximate era (colonial, republic, modern), (4) the material (gold, silver, copper, bimetallic). The more details, the better the match.

How do I tell whether my coin is silver or nickel?

Silver is heavier than nickel of the same size. Another test: pure .999 silver is not magnetic (a magnet won't attract it). Mexican silver coins usually have '.900', '.720' or '.500' engraved indicating fineness. If in doubt, post a photo to the forum.

Does my coin have value if I can't find it in the finder?

It might. The Pesoteca catalog has 1,800+ pieces but doesn't cover 100% of the Mexican numismatic universe (revolutionary banknotes, assay pieces, town issues). Post a photo to the forum for a straight opinion, and if it confirms your coin has value, take it to a certified appraiser.

Free tool · Pesoteca

Identify your Mexican coin

Enter what you already know about your piece (year, denomination, era or material). The finder filters over 1,800+ pieces in the Pesoteca catalog in seconds.

Year engraved on the coin

Usually on the reverse, below the main design

Denomination (face value)

Large number on the reverse: "20", "1 PESO", "50 CENTAVOS"

Approximate era

Apparent material

How to identify your coin step by step

1. Find the year engraved on the reverse (the design side, not the coat of arms).
2. Identify the denomination: a large number like "20", "1 PESO", "50 CENTAVOS", "10 REALES".
3. Estimate the era: a republican eagle = post-1823; a king's bust = colonial 1772-1821; if it says "NUEVOS PESOS" = 1993-1995.
4. Look at the material: reddish = copper; heavy white = silver; heavy gold = gold; two-tone = modern bimetallic.
5. Fill out the form with what you already know. You don't need every detail.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free?

Yes. 100% free, no signup, no intrusive ads. Pesoteca is open public access.

Do I need a photo of the coin?

Not for this finder. Just basic details (year/denomination). If you want photo-based identification, post it to the forum.

What do I do if my coin might be valuable?

After the match, go to that coin's page to see its market price. If it's a premium piece (an original Centenario 1921-1925, an N$20 Hidalgo 1995, colonial 8 escudos), take it to a certified appraiser.

Can't find your piece?

Post photos of the obverse, reverse and edge to the Pesoteca forum. The community identifies it manually and tells you what you have, how much it's worth and whether it's worth taking to an appraiser.

Go to the forum Certified appraisers

How to identify your coin step by step

Frequently asked questions

Related resources

Can't find your piece?