© Stacks Bowers
© Stacks Bowers
50 Centavos Pattern; Benito Juarez
1947 year| Silver (.500) | - | - |
| Issuer | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Period | United Mexican States/Mexican Republic (1823-date) |
| Type | Pattern |
| Year | 1947 |
| Value | 50 Centavos (0.50 MXP) |
| Currency | Peso (1863-1992) |
| Composition | Silver (.500) |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | 1947 |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#336750 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Bust of Benito Juarez facing left with denomination above. Weight, fineness, mintmark and year below.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
CINCUENTA CENTAVOS
JUAREZ
7 Gr. 0.500 Mo.1947
Translation: Fifty Centavos
Comment
In 1945, the 50 Centavos "Resplandor" (KM-447) coin was withdrawn from circulation, with multiple factors leading to this decision. Namely, an increase in the price of silver, a surplus stock accumulation of previous years, and economic struggles in the post-WWII Mexican economy. In that same year, the "Resplandor" Peso (KM-455) was also demonitized. Two years later, with the market stabilized, the decree of 19 September 1947 was passed, authorizing the coining of denominations in the amount of 50 Centavos, Pesos, and 5 Pesos, with many patterns being prepared by the mint in Mexico City:1) Copper-Nickel 50 Centavos, 1945, featuring Juarez. Luna-PL-15.
2) Silver Peso, 1947, featuring Morelos. Luna-PL-16.
3) Silver Peso, 1947, featuring Juarez. Luna-PL-17.
4) Silver 5 Pesos, 1947, featuring scales. Luna-PL-18.
Only the two major denominations were approved, KM-456 for the "Cacheton" Peso, and KM-465 for the "Cuauhtemoc" 5 Pesos. The interesting part of the story is that, despite the known 1945 50 Centavos Pattern, the government decree foresaw a different design and metal. Pablo Luna, in his 2018 book Las Pruebas de la Moneda Mexicana del Siglo XX disclosed a die from the Mexican Mint collection with a very similar appearance (p. 344), with the bust of Juarez and the inscriptions that the aforementioned decree set forth. A struck example, however, was not known until now. This specimen serves as the first evidence that the illustrated die was actually utilized, possibly only once, and acts as a missing piece of the puzzle, illuminated after seven decades.
Interesting fact
The Pattern 50 Centavos coin from Mexico, featuring Benito Juarez, is a rare and unique piece. One interesting fact about this coin is that it was minted in 1947, but it was never officially released into circulation. Instead, it was kept as a pattern coin, which means it was used as a prototype or sample for the design and production of future coins. This makes it a highly sought-after collector's item among numismatists and coin enthusiasts.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 Mo | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 50 Centavos (Pattern; Benito Juarez) 1947 coin.
