How do I know how many karats my gold is?

Look for tiny stamps on the piece: '14K', '18K', '585', '750', '916', '999' indicate the purity. If your piece has no mark it isn't necessarily fake, but it needs a nitric acid or electronic tester test at a jeweler or with a numismatic expert.

Do jewelers pay the real value of the gold?

No. Jewelers and pawn shops in Mexico typically pay 60–80% of the gold's spot value when buying. If your gold is worth 10,000 MXN at spot, expect an offer of 6,000–8,000 MXN. That's why it pays to compare 3–4 options before selling.

How much is a Centenario 50 pesos gold coin worth today?

The Centenario contains 33.75 g of pure gold. At the day's spot it's worth about MX$81,156 MXN. At a bank it sells with an additional 4–8% margin. See the updated price by bank at /en/centenario-gold-price.

Should I sell inherited gold or keep it?

It depends: if it's jewelry with no sentimental or numismatic value, gold is a good long-term hedge against inflation. If it's an original pre-1925 Centenario or Hidalgo, it may carry numismatic value beyond the pure gold. For historic pieces, consult a numismatic expert before selling.

Where can I sell gold at the best price?

Best option: banks that buy gold (Banamex, Banorte, HSBC, Azteca, Casa de Moneda). They pay closer to spot than jewelers. Pawn shops are the worst option (they pay 50–60% of spot). For numismatic pieces (original Centenario, pre-1925 Hidalgos), numismatic dealers or auctions pay more for the historic value.

Step-by-step guide · Pesoteca 2026

What is my gold worth today?

Spot updated Sep 12, 03:00 PM

Chain, ring, inherited coin, bar or gold tooth. Here's how to work out its value in MXN at the day's spot without paying for an appraisal.

Gold spot today

Pure gram .999

MX$2,405

Troy ounce

MX$74,793

10 grams

MX$24,046

These are pure-spot prices. Jewelers pay 60–80% of spot.

The formula to calculate the value of your gold

Value = Weight (g) × Karat × Spot per gram

The formula is the same for chains, rings, coins or bars. Only the 3 inputs change:

1. Weight in grams: use a precision scale (any jeweler will weigh it for free, or a household kitchen scale). Coins have a published standard weight (Centenario: 37.5 g, Hidalgo: 8.33 g, etc).
2. Karat (purity): look for tiny stamps on the piece. Rings carry the karat inside the band. Chains on the clasp. Bars have it stamped on the face. Table below.
3. Day's spot: today the pure gold gram is worth MX$2,404.64 MXN. We update it daily at /en/gold-price.

What your gold is worth by type of piece

The most common gold pieces in inheritances and Mexican households. Each one with a specific tip to identify it:

Gold chain or bracelet

Typical weight

5–30 g typical

Common karat

18K (.750) or 14K (.585)

Weigh it in grams. Multiply by your karat factor to find the pure gold it contains.

A 10 g 14K chain is worth about MX$14,067 MXN in pure gold.

Gold ring

Typical weight

3–15 g typical

Common karat

14K (.585) or 18K (.750)

Check inside the band: that's where the karat mark is engraved (14K, 18K, 585, 750).

A 5 g 18K ring is worth about MX$9,017 MXN in pure gold.

Centenario 50 pesos gold coin

Typical weight

37.5 g (33.75 g pure gold)

Common karat

.900 (22K)

Look at the date on the reverse: 1921–1925 = original (worth more); 1947 (most of them) = restrike (worth its gold).

A Centenario is worth at least MX$81,156 MXN just for the gold it contains.

Onza Libertad gold coin

Typical weight

31.10 g pure gold

Common karat

.999 (24K)

The reverse shows the Winged Victory with the National Coat of Arms. Marked '1 ONZA ORO PURO'.

A gold Onza Libertad is worth about MX$74,793 MXN at spot.

Old Mexican gold coin (Hidalgo, Azteca)

Typical weight

1.67 g (Quinto) to 16.67 g (Azteca)

Common karat

.900 (22K)

They come in 5 sizes: Azteca 20p, Hidalgo 10p, 1/2 Hidalgo, 1/4 Hidalgo, 1/5 Hidalgo. Each is worth in proportion to its pure gold.

A Hidalgo 10p (7.5 g pure gold) is worth about MX$18,035 MXN.

Gold bar

Typical weight

1 g to 1 kg

Common karat

.999 (24K)

Usually pure gold. Weigh it and multiply by the day's spot.

A 50 g .999 bar is worth about MX$120,232 MXN at spot.

Gold tooth

Typical weight

0.5–3 g typical

Common karat

16K–18K (.667–.750) dental

Dental gold uses special alloys, but its gold content does trade. Weigh it and multiply by the karat.

A 2 g 16K gold tooth is worth about MX$3,208 MXN.

Cuban-style link bracelet or ID bracelet

Typical weight

20–100 g typical

Common karat

10K (.417) or 14K (.585)

ID and Cuban-link bracelets are large pieces; they can hold several thousand pesos in gold.

A 50 g 10K bracelet is worth about MX$50,137 MXN.

Quick table: value by karat (10 grams)

Karat	Engraved mark	Value 10g (spot)	Jeweler pays (~70%)
24K	999, .999	MX$24,022	MX$16,816
22K	916, .916	MX$22,026	MX$15,419
18K	750, .750	MX$18,035	MX$12,624
14K	585, .585	MX$14,067	MX$9,847
10K	417, .417	MX$10,027	MX$7,019

The "Jeweler pays" column is an estimate: the actual % ranges from 50% (pawn shops) to 85% (online gold buyers).

Before you sell your gold: 5 important rules

1. Compare at least 3 offers. Jewelers differ by up to 30% in price. Banco Azteca, formal jewelers and online buyers give different prices.
2. If it's an original Centenario or Hidalgo (1905–1925), do NOT sell it as scrap. It may carry additional numismatic value. Take it to an expert or ask on the Pesoteca forum.
3. Weigh your piece yourself first. A kitchen scale works. If the jeweler quotes a lower weight, be suspicious.
4. Verify the karat with acid (any jeweler does it for free). Some pieces are marked with a higher karat than the real one.
5. Ask for cash or immediate transfer. No checks. No "I'll pay you tomorrow".

Where to sell physical gold in Mexico

Channel	% of spot paid	When it's best
Casa de Moneda (official mint)	~96–98%	Centenario, Onza Libertad, Hidalgos only. Best option.
Banks (Banamex, Banorte, Azteca)	~92–95%	Centenarios and official coins. Formal process.
Numismatic dealers	~88–93%	For pieces with historic value, they pay extra for age.
Online gold buyers	~80–90%	14K/18K jewelry. You mail the piece by courier.
Local jewelers	~60–80%	Convenience + immediate cash.
Pawn shops	~50–65%	Worst option on price. Useful only for a temporary pawn.

Related resources

Have gold but aren't sure what it is?

Post a photo to the Pesoteca forum. The community helps you identify the piece, read the karat mark, and tell you whether it has numismatic value beyond the pure gold. No charge, no sales agenda.

Go to the forum Certified experts Browse coins