Description

Proudly portrayed on the obverse of the coin is Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, one of Mexico’s greatest heroes. Originally a pastor, he helped lead an army of civilians in battle during the Mexican War for Independence. He would ultimately die a martyr’s death in front of an execution squad. From his noble profile to the warm expression on his face, great care has been taken to provide an accurate portrayal of this significant historical figure. Printed along the edge of the coin is its denomination of “Diez Pesos” in native Spanish along with the coin’s year of issue.

The reverse side of the coin has been engraved with Mexico’s National Coat of Arms. In this image, a Mexican Gold Eagle is seen standing atop a prickly pear cactus anduses its strong beak and claws to grapple against a serpent. The significance of this image spans all the way back to the founding of Mexico, when according to legend, the first settlers interpreted this phenomenon as a sign of where to build their city. Since then, the image has come to represent the triumph of the righteous against their enemies. Further contributing to the patriotic motif of the reverse side are the words “Estados Unidos Mexicanos,” which have been inscribed above the coat of arms.