Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Pesos 1971-1978, KM# 472, Mexico
  • 5 Pesos 1971-1978, KM# 472, Mexico
Obverse

Depicts the seal of the United Mexican States.

The Seal of the United Mexican States is a modified version of the national coat of arms, with the addition of the full official name of the country Estados Unidos Mexicanos, in a semi-circular accommodation in the upper part of the seal. Current and past Mexican peso coinage have had the seal engraved on the obverse of all denominations.

The coat of arms depicts a Mexican golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus devouring a rattlesnake. To the people of Tenochtitlan this would have strong religious connotations, but to the Europeans, it would come to symbolize the triumph of good over evil (with the snake sometimes representative of the serpent in the Garden of Eden).

ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS

Reverse

Value, portrait of Vicente Guerrero to the right.

Vicente Ramón Guerrero Saldaña (1782–1831) was one of the leading revolutionary generals of the Mexican War of Independence. He fought against Spain for independence in the early 19th century, and later served as President of Mexico, coming to power in a coup. He was of Afro-Mestizo descent, championed the cause of Mexico's common people, and abolished slavery during his brief term as president. His execution in 1831 by the conservative government that ousted him in 1829 was a shock to the nation.

CINCO PESOS
1971
Mo

Edge

INDEPENDENCIA Y LIBERTAD

5 Pesos

KM# 472
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 14.04 g
Diameter 32.9 mm
Thickness 2.13 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Mexican Mint (Mo)

Related coins

Cupronickel, 10.25 g, ⌀ 27.24 mm

Brass, 3 g, ⌀ 17 mm

Bi-Metallic, 7.07 g, ⌀ 25.5 mm