1 Centavo 1968 Copper Coin (Mexico): Value Guide

If you inherited or found a Mexican 1 centavo coin dated 1968, here is the honest answer: in circulated condition it is worth a few cents, and even a nice uncirculated example rarely tops a couple of dollars. This is a common copper coin, not a rare treasure. But there are specific cases where it is worth more, and this guide shows you exactly what to look for.

What this coin is

The 1 centavo (one cent) of 1968 is a small copper coin from the Casa de Moneda de México, the Mexican Mint, one of the oldest mints in the Americas. It belongs to the pre-1992 modern peso era, before Mexico revalued its currency and dropped three zeros.

Here are the exact specifications, which also help you spot a fake:

Obverse (front): The Mexican national coat of arms, the eagle with a serpent on a cactus, with the inscription "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS" (United Mexican States, the country's official name).

Reverse (back): The face value "1" or "1 CENTAVO" in large numerals, the year "1968", and the mint mark "Mo".

What it is actually worth in 2026

Be realistic. The 1 centavo was produced in large quantities for everyday use, so millions survive. Value is driven almost entirely by condition (grade), not age.

Copper coins are graded partly on their color. A coin that keeps its original bright reddish tone ("red" or RD) is worth more than one that has turned brown from oxidation. A dark, spotted, or corroded piece drops back toward pocket-change value.

Unlike silver or gold coins, this one has no meaningful bullion floor. Copper at this weight is worth a fraction of a cent, so the value is purely collector demand for a clean example.

Do not fall for the "old coin equals fortune" myth

Social media is full of posts claiming a 1968 centavo is worth thousands. That is clickbait. A worn 1 centavo from a common year is one of the least valuable Mexican coins you can own. What would change that:

• A genuine, verifiable minting error (off-center strike, die rotation, double strike).
• A truly high grade with original red color, certified by a grading service.

Most "errors" people post online are post-mint damage: dings, scratches, or corrosion. That is not a factory error and adds no value. A real error has to be created during striking, and it needs verification.

How to tell if yours is genuine

This is a low-value coin, so counterfeits are uncommon, but here is how to check:

1. Weigh it. It should be 1.97 grams. Use a jewelry scale. A wrong weight is a red flag.
2. Measure the diameter. It should be 16 mm. Use a caliper.
3. Check the relief. Genuine coins have crisp, raised detail. Fakes often look flat or mushy.
4. Look at the color and metal. It should be copper, not a plated or off-color alloy.

If the numbers match the table above and the detail is sharp, you almost certainly have a genuine circulating coin.

Where to sell it

For a coin in this value range, do not overthink it, but do avoid getting lowballed:

• A verified numismatic shop will appraise it on the spot.
• The Pesoteca buy-and-sell forum connects you directly with collectors.
• If you think you have a real error or a top-grade red example, post clear photos of the front, back, and edge on the forum so the community can weigh in before you sell.

Before selling, photograph the obverse, reverse, and edge, and compare your grade to the ranges above. For help pinning down condition, see our coin grading guide.

Have a 1968 centavo you think might be an error or an unusually clean red example? Post your photos in the Pesoteca forum and let collectors tell you what it is really worth.

The centavo coins that circulated in Mexico during the second half of the 20th century were struck in alloys that changed according to the cost of metals: copper, bronze, and brass in low denominations (1¢, 5¢, 20¢); cupronickel for intermediate denominations (25¢, 50¢, later 10¢); and .720 silver for some 25¢ and 50¢ pieces in the 1950s. Each change of alloy produced a distinct variant of the same face value. 1968 corresponds to the period in which this variant was in circulation, before the transition to Nuevos Pesos in 1992. The Mexico City Mint kept the basic design of the National Coat of Arms on the obverse and the numeric value on the reverse throughout this era.