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Monday, 27 April 2020

1323) City of Veracruz, Mexico: 500th Anniversary of the Founding of the City: A 20 Peso Bimetallic Circulation Coin issued by the "Banco de Mexico" (Bank of Mexico): Date of circulation: 22.04.2020:

1323) City of Veracruz, Mexico: 500th Anniversary of the Founding of the City: A 20 Peso Bimetallic Circulation Coin  issued by the "Banco de Mexico" (Bank of Mexico): Date of circulation: 22.04.2020:

The Banco de Mexico (Bank of Mexico) has issued on 22.04.2020, new circulation-type 20 Peso Coins which commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the founding of the City of Veracruz, one of the most important settlements in what was once part of New Spain.

Officially, Veracruz is part of a broader region and state which is known as the "Free and Sovereign State of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave" and which comprises one of the 22 States in present day Mexico.

Veracruz played a crucial role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire by Hernan Cortes (1485-1547) - a one-time Spanish governor of New Spain.

In 1811, when the Mexican War of Independence broke out, much of what became the State of Veracruz supported the  Revolution against colonial rule.

In 1821, the last viceroy of New Spain sailed from the main port in Veracruz to leave for Spain.

In 1826, the city received the first of its four titles of "heroic city" for confronting the remaining Spanish troops. 

Earlier in 1822, during this turbulent time, and while the last of the Spanish forces were fighting to hold onto the colony, Augustin de Iturbide (1783-1824), a Mexican  Army General and politician, had been declared Emperor of Mexico, however his reign quickly encountered resistance from those favouring a Republican form of government. Months later, Iturbide went into exile.

On 22.12.1823, Veracruz obtained the status asa Sovereign State within the Mexican United states, when it became the seventh to enter the Union, two years after Independence was declared.

Wars and a weak economy led to a severe foreign debt which the country could not pay, and when its President announced the debt unilaterally cancelled, Spain, Britain and France in 10/1861 to occupy the Mexican Gulf Coast, of which Veracruz was the main port.

In 1863, the State was officially named "Veracruz-Llave".

In 1864, the Spanish and the British  withdrew after making deals with Mexico's President and France supported the establishment of a monarchy under the Hapsburgs - the reign of Maximilian I of Mexico was in place from this year.

In 1866, the French were expelled through Veracruz and the Emperor was shot one year later. 

Present Day:

Today, Veracruz has one of Mexico's leading economies based on agriculture and petroleum, with a population which ranks third, in terms of numbers with over eight million residents. The State of Veracruz is also rich in natural resources and is a crucial component of Mexico's economy, with about 35% of the country's water supply originating from Veracruz.

Tourism also plays an integral part in the local economy, as the port city of Veracruz is one of the most visited, with almost all of the four and five-star establishments located in the Metropolitan area of Veracruz.

The Commemorative Circulation Coin:



The 12-sided bi-metallic coins have been minted by La Casa de Moneda de Mexico at its facilities in San Luis Potosi, on behalf of the Banco de Mexico.


On the Reverse of the 20 Peso Bimetallic Circulation Coin is depicted a composite of references to the Anniversary of Veracruz, including the founding of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz in 04/1519.

Towards the left, a 16th Century ship is shown on stylised waves in the Ocean. To the right is the profile of the Old City Hall, which now houses the Municipal Palace.

Above the image of the building, is a new security element - the latent image - of the numeral "20". On the left, above the image of the ship and near the edge of the nucleus, is a micro-text "500 VERACRUZ".

On the outer periphery is inscribed - "500 ANOS DE LA FUNDACION DE LA CIUDAD Y PUERTO DE VERACRUZ" (meaning " 500 Years of the Foundation of the City and Port of Veracruz").

Towards the lower periphery is mentioned the anniversary years - "1519-2019" and the denomination of the coin - "$20" (20 Peso).



On the Obverse of the 20 Peso Bimetallic Circulation Coin is depicted in the centre, the present Mexican Crest consisting of an Eagle atop a Cactus grasping snake in its beak and talon.

On the above periphery is mentioned - "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS" (meaning "United States of Mexico").

The specifications of this Bi-metallic coin are:

Denomination: 20 Pesos; Metal Composition: Bi-Metallic; Weight: 12.67 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.0 mm; Coin Quality: Circulation type.








Links to some other interesting posts from South American countries & Mexico:

1) The Evolution of Mexican Coinage

24) Bolivar Soberano (or "Sovereign Bolivar"), Venezuela: (2018 Series of Banknotes) introduced by Banco de National, the Central Bank of Venezuela on 20.08.2018 




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