100 Pesos Chihuahua (Coat of Arms) 2003
Prices updated: August 2026
Union of the States: Chihuahua, first stage.
Union of the States: Chihuahua, first stage.
Design
Banxico
Reverse
Official coat of arms of the state of Chihuahua, with the perimeter legend "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS". Reverse of the first stage of the Unión de los Estados de la República Mexicana series.
Obverse
Mexican National Coat of Arms within the silver center, with the denomination "100 PESOS" and the legend "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS" on the aluminum-bronze ring. Year of minting on the obverse.
How much is the 100 Pesos Chihuahua (Coat of Arms) 2003 worth?
The market value of the 100 Pesos Chihuahua (Coat of Arms) 2003 is not yet documented with enough data to give a firm range. Weigh and measure your piece, compare it against the specifications, and check the forum for a second opinion.
The real price depends on four factors: the grade of preservation (a circulated piece is worth the low end of the range; an uncirculated one, or one still in its official blister pack, the high end), the finish (satin vs mirror/proof), the rarity within the series based on the mintage, and the metal spot price on the day of the deal when the piece is silver or gold. Check the value-by-grade table above and compare with equivalent pieces before buying or selling.
Where to buy or sell this coin?
Browse the national directory of numismatic shops or the community forum to trade directly with other collectors.
States of the Federation
The 64 pieces of the 180th Anniversary series
This coin is part of the series that dedicated one piece to each Mexican state. Two phases: Heraldic (2003) and Cultural (2005-2007).
Description
If you inherited or found a large, heavy Mexican 100 pesos coin dated 2003 with a state coat of arms on the back, here is the honest answer: it is worth money mainly because of its silver center, not because it is rare. In 2026, a typical example trades from roughly its silver melt value up to 25 to 40 US dollars in top uncirculated grades. It is a collector and bullion piece, not a lottery ticket.
What you actually have
This is the 100 Pesos Chihuahua coin from the first stage of the "Unión de los Estados de la República Mexicana" (Union of the States of the Mexican Republic) series, a program that honored each of Mexico's 31 states plus the federal capital. The reverse shows the official coat of arms of the state of Chihuahua: a quartered shield with a lion and a castle, symbols of the state's Spanish heritage and industry. The obverse is shared with all 31 sister coins: the Mexican national coat of arms (an eagle on a cactus with a serpent) inside the silver center, with the 100 pesos denomination.
These coins were struck to a satin finish and are bimetallic, meaning they have two metals: a solid silver center and an outer ring.
Specifications (the numbers that matter)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 100 pesos |
| Year | 2003 |
| Weight | 33.78 grams |
| Diameter | 39 mm |
| Center metal | Sterling silver, .925 fineness |
| Ring metal | Aluminum bronze |
| Edge | Interrupted reeded edge |
| Series | Union of the States, first stage |
The silver center is the reason this coin has a price floor. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure. The silver center contains close to half a troy ounce of pure silver, so the coin will never be worth less than that silver content, whatever the collector market does.
What it is worth in 2026
Be realistic. This is a modern commemorative struck in meaningful numbers, so it is not scarce. Value in 2026 breaks down like this:
- Worn or handled: essentially the melt value of the silver center, a few US dollars.
- Uncirculated, original luster: roughly 20 to 40 US dollars depending on eye appeal.
- Certified in high grade (NGC or PCGS MS67 and up): can push higher when demand for a full 32-coin set is strong, but do not expect hundreds of dollars for a common date like this one.
The real premium comes when a buyer wants to complete the entire 32-coin set. Single coins sell close to bullion; a matched, high-grade set sells for more per coin.
Errors and the "it's worth a fortune" myth
Genuine mint errors (off-center strikes, die rotation, double strikes) can multiply the value of any coin. But most "errors" people post online are post-mint damage: dents, scratches, corrosion, or discoloration from storage. That is not a factory error and it lowers value rather than raising it. If you think you have a true error, get it looked at before you celebrate.
How to tell if yours is genuine
Counterfeits of bimetallic Mexican coins do exist. Check these first:
- Weight: it should read 33.78 grams on a jewelry scale. Fakes are often off.
- Diameter: it should measure 39 mm with calipers.
- Relief and color: the design should be sharp, and the silver center and bronze ring should be cleanly separated with no bleeding of color.
- Edge: the interrupted reeded edge is characteristic of this coin family.
If any measurement is off, or the relief looks flat and mushy, treat it as suspect and have it verified.
Where to sell it
To get a fair price, take clear photos of the front, back, and edge, then use one of these:
- A verified numismatic dealer from the Pesoteca shop directory, who can value it on the spot.
- The Pesoteca buy and sell forum, where collectors trade directly.
- For buyers and sellers in the state, the Chihuahua shop hub lists reviewed local dealers.
Avoid dumping it on social media to the first offer. Because the coin has a silver floor, you should never accept less than the current melt value of the silver center.
Related pieces
If you are chasing the full state series, note that Banxico later issued the Chihuahua Cultural 2005 coin, part of the second stage, which shows a specific state landmark instead of the coat of arms. The two Chihuahua coins together complete the 100 pesos pairing for the state.
Chihuahua also has deep numismatic roots: the colonial CH mint (Chihuahua, 1811 to 1895) struck silver during the viceregal era. The 8 reales from that mint are actively collected today, trading from a few dozen to several thousand US dollars depending on year, assayer, and condition. You can browse them in the colonial 8 reales series.
Got this coin sitting in a drawer? Post your photos and weight in the Pesoteca forum and let the community confirm the grade before you sell.
Historical context
The 100 peso Unión de los Estados de la República Mexicana series began in 2003 with the first stage, called the Escudo stage because the reverse bears the official coat of arms of each of the 32 states. The piece dedicated to Chihuahua is part of that first block of 32 coins, issued by Banxico within the framework of the Monetary System that has governed the modern peso since the new pesos reform of 1993.
Chihuahua has Chihuahua as its capital. It is one of the original states of the Federal Pact of 1824, signed on January 31 of that year. The reverse of the piece shows the official coat of arms of the state, with no reference to specific historical episodes: the central motif is the heraldic emblem. For mintages and circulation economic data of each piece in the series, the sources are Banxico's official reports; until they are verified in the CM10 catalog they are not reported on this listing.
This piece belongs to the era
Nuevos Pesos y actualidad →Explore all the Mexican coins of this era, their historical context and how they connect to the monetary system of the period.
Go deeper on this coin
100 pesos de los Estados: la moneda de plata dedicada a tu estado (guía completa Escudo y Cultural)
Banxico acuñó una moneda de plata para cada uno de los 32 estados de México, y luego lo hizo dos veces. Aquí está la guía completa de las 100 pesos de los Estados: qué son, la diferencia entre la versión Escudo y la Cultural, por qué el centro de plata importa, cómo armar la colección y la lista de las 64 fichas para que caces la de tu tierra.
Read the full article →Unique context of this piece
The coat of arms of Chihuahua shows a quartered shield with a lion and a castle, an allusion to the state's Hispanic heritage and industry.
Chihuahua is home to the Sierra Tarahumara and the Copper Canyon. It is the largest state in Mexico by area.
The historic numismatic distinction of Chihuahua is the colonial mint CH (colonial Chihuahua, 1811-1895), which operated through most of the 19th century and struck silver pieces that are hunted today by Mexican and foreign collectors. That heritage gives Chihuahua a strong numismatic tradition that is reflected in the local trade of modern commemorative pieces such as this one.
If you want to hunt this piece down in person or find specialized collectors in Chihuahua, check the Chihuahua store hub, where we document the state's verified stores with honest reviews, addresses and contact details.
If you collect the full series, your next target is the Cultural 2005 sibling of Chihuahua, struck two years later with a state-specific iconographic motif instead of the official coat of arms. The full 100 Pesos States series also has the complete catalog with every sibling piece verified by Pesoteca.
Related pieces and hubs
Specific questions about this piece
Did Chihuahua have a colonial mint?
Yes, Chihuahua had a colonial mint identified as CH (colonial Chihuahua, 1811-1895). You can review the sibling colonial pieces from the same region in our colonial 8 reales series. The 8 reales from that mint trade today between 800 and 15,000 pesos depending on year, assayer and state of preservation.
What is the difference from the 100 Pesos Chihuahua Cultural 2005?
The Coat of Arms 2003 version (this one) shows the state's official coat of arms on the reverse. The sibling Cultural 2005 version shows an iconographic motif representative of the state (a historical figure, a monument, a cultural element) instead of the coat of arms. Both share the bimetallic format and composition. Collecting both is what completes the 100 Pesos set of Chihuahua.
Where can I buy the 100 Pesos Chihuahua Coat of Arms 2003 today?
The main circuit for pieces in this series is the specialized numismatic market: auction houses, verified stores in the state, and private collectors. In the Chihuahua store hub we document the local options with honest reviews. For UNC pieces or those with the original Banxico blister pack, the price rises between 3x and 8x the 100-peso face value.
The colonial mint of Chihuahua (Coat of Arms) 2003
Chihuahua (Coat of Arms) 2003 had an operating mint with the mintmark CH during the 1811-1895 period. The silver pieces struck there, mainly 8 reales from the Independence era and the 19th century, are sought after today by Mexican and foreign collectors.
Notable assayers: RP (Ramón Puchol), MG, JM (José Manuel Trelles). Each assayer marked the initials of their name on the design, which allows pieces to be cataloged by year and by assayer mark. A single year can have 3-5 variants depending on the assayer.
You can review related colonial pieces on the example page or in the full 8 reales colonial series.
Key historical event of Chihuahua (Coat of Arms) 2003 (1811)
La Casa de Moneda de Chihuahua fue autorizada en 1811 durante la Guerra de Independencia para procesar la plata de las minas locales. Operó de manera intermitente hasta el cierre definitivo en 1895.
Circulation and market of Chihuahua (Coat of Arms) 2003
Estado grande con tradición numismática colonial (ceca CH). La pieza circula en Chihuahua capital, Ciudad Juárez y Delicias.
Counterfeit alert in Chihuahua (Coat of Arms) 2003
Circularon falsificaciones con planchet incorrecto (aluminio en vez de bimetálica) en el mercado paralelo entre 2010-2015. Verifica peso (33.78g) e imán antes de comprar.
Other denominations from 2003
180 Aniversario de la Unión de los Estados en una Federación · Bimetálica
Same denomination, other years
100 pesos Bimetálica · 180 Aniversario de la Unión de los Estados en una Federación
Frequently asked questions
How much is the 2003 Chihuahua 100 pesos coin worth?
In circulated condition it is worth close to the melt value of its silver center, a few US dollars. Uncirculated examples with original luster typically bring 20 to 40 US dollars. Certified high-grade pieces can go higher, especially to buyers completing the full 32-coin set.
Is the 2003 Chihuahua 100 pesos rare?
No. It is a modern commemorative struck in meaningful numbers, so single coins are common. Its value comes mainly from the .925 sterling silver center, not from scarcity. The biggest premiums come from high grades and demand to complete the 32-coin state series.
Where can I sell the 2003 Chihuahua 100 pesos coin?
Use a verified dealer from the [Pesoteca shop directory](/tiendas) for an on-the-spot valuation, or the [Pesoteca buy and sell forum](/foro/compra-venta) to sell directly to collectors. Photograph the front, back, and edge first, and never accept less than the silver melt value.
How do I know if my 2003 Chihuahua 100 pesos is genuine?
Weigh it (it should be 33.78 grams) and measure the diameter (39 mm) with calipers, then compare to the specs above. Counterfeits often have the wrong weight or diameter, flat relief, or bleeding color between the silver center and bronze ring.
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Images for informational and educational purposes, attributed to their original source. Reference values; the real price depends on the grade, the specific variant and demand.
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