Huehuecanauhtlus tiquichensis Medal · Dinosaurs of Mexico (Casa de Moneda)

The Huehuecanauhtlus tiquichensis medal is part of the Dinosaurs of Mexico Collection struck by the Mexican Mint for its 490th anniversary. It is not legal tender and Banxico does not decree it: it is an official commemorative medal, with a satin finish, 25 millimeters in diameter and a plain edge, produced from recycled metals.

The dinosaur. Huehuecanauhtlus tiquichensis is a dinosaur of the Hadrosauridae family, first described in 2007 from fossils found in Michoacán. Its name comes from the Nahuatl huehuetl (old) and canauhtli (duck). It was possibly the first of its lineage to inhabit present-day Mexico, a paleontological migrant whose ancestors lived in Eurasia. It measured around 6.5 m and weighed about 1.25 tons; it was an herbivore.

The two finishes. The Mint issued the collection in two versions of the same design: a set in industrial metal (a gold-colored alloy), the more accessible one, and a set in silver for the collector seeking precious-metal content. Both with a satin finish. The design of each piece was validated with Mexican paleontologists from INAH and UNAM, so the proportions are faithful to the fossil, not a generic figure.

What to expect in value. Being a medal and not a coin, its value is collectible and thematic. The silver version has a floor set by its metal content; the industrial-metal one is worth its design and the rarity of the batch. They are sold as a complete set, not loose from the factory, and several pieces are reported sold out by batches.

Where it fits. This listing is part of the Dinosaurs of Mexico Collection, where we explain the six pieces, the two finishes, and where to buy them. To buy or sell, check the store directory and the buy-and-sell forum.