The Mexican 5 Peso Hidalgo Silver Coin is more than a piece of bullion — it’s a slice of Latin American history you can hold in your hand. Struck between 1955 and 1957 by the legendary Casa de Moneda de Mexico, the Western Hemisphere’s oldest operating mint, this coin carries real silver content alongside the enduring image of Miguel Hidalgo — the priest who ignited Mexico’s fight for independence. For silver investors and world coin collectors alike, this is a piece that delivers on both fronts.
Key Features:
- Metal: Silver (.720 Fine / 72% silver content)
- Gross Weight: 055 grams · Actual Silver Weight (ASW): ~13.0 g
- Denomination: 5 Pesos (Cinco Pesos)
- Mint Years: 1955–1957 | Mint: Casa de Moneda de Mexico (Mexico City)
- Obverse: Portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla with “INDEPENDENCIA Y LIBERTAD” legend
- Reverse: Mexican national coat of arms — eagle, serpent, oak & laurel sprigs
- Condition: XF–AU (Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated) — sharp detail, minimal wear
Front and center is a bold left-facing portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla — the Catholic priest who, on September 16, 1810, delivered the “Grito de Dolores” and launched Mexico’s war of independence from Spain. The portrait is sculpted with strong relief and fine detail, framed by the inspiring motto “INDEPENDENCIA Y LIBERTAD” arching above, and the name “HIDALGO” inscribed at the base. A small “M” mintmark confirms its Mexico City Mint origin.
The reverse showcases Mexico’s iconic national coat of arms: an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, clutching a serpent — a scene rooted in the ancient Aztec legend that led the Mexica people to found the city of Tenochtitlan, the predecessor of modern Mexico City. Oak and laurel branches flank the emblem, symbolizing strength and victory. The legend “ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS” encircles the design, while “18.055 G” and the year of issue are inscribed at the base — a transparent, collector-friendly feature unique to these coins.
Issued by the Mexican government (Estados Unidos Mexicanos), this coin was struck at the Mexico City Mint across 1955, 1956, and 1957. It measures approximately 36 mm in diameter with a reeded edge and a silver-copper alloy composition of .720 fine silver. In XF–AU condition, expect sharp lettering, well-defined relief on both the portrait and the coat of arms, and light friction only on the very highest points — with original mint luster still visible in the fields.
The 1955–1957 Hidalgo 5 Peso marks the final run of this silver design — making XF–AU examples increasingly scarce. With ~13 grams of actual silver backed by the Mexican government and a design that tells a powerful national story, this coin rewards both the investor and the collector. Whether it sits in a bullion stack or a display case, it earns its place.
Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Mexico’s silver heritage — add it to your collection today.