In this post, I am going to discuss both Silver and Gold Mexican Libertads, why they are so expensive and whether it’s something you may want to buy if you stack gold and silver bullion.
If you’ve ever scrolled through an online Bullion dealer site or gone to a coin shop, you probably noticed that one bullion coin, both silver and gold, has a very high premium. The Gold Mexican Libertad sells for quite higher than the American Gold eagle. The silver Mexican Libertad typically sells higher than the Silver American Eagle, although the amounts are not as much on a percentage basis as the gold difference.
As of this writing on May 7, 2024, the Mexican Libertad is selling now for around 40% over silver spot price. For example, with a silver spot price of $27.50 per troy ounce, 1 oz silver Mexican Libertads are selling for around $37.40 on JM Bullion’s website. This assumes you use the cheapest checkout option, the e-check.
To put things in perspective, American Silver Eagles are selling for around $37 in the lowest quantity bucket (1-20). One might ask, isn’t the price pretty much same? At the lowest levels yes, but as you buy more Silver Eagles, the price per coin drops. With over 500 coins it drops down to about 35.50 per coin. Still, I also need to point out that a few years back, I remember Silver Mexican Libertads to be even more expensive than Silver Eagles on a per coin basis.
Now, in terms of the prices, this is just one dealer and there are other dealers, but the prices tend to align among the dealers I have checked. That said, Apmex has a really good deal on these coins right now, as they are having a sale. Libertads are going for $34.49, regardless of the quantity. This is really a great deal in my opinion, and if you’re buying something else it might not be a bad idea to pick up a few of these. .
Gold Mexican Libertads are pricey as well and the difference between Mexican Gold Libertads and American Gold Eagles tends to be much wider than silver coins. For example, A 2023 Mexican Gold Libertad (Brilliant Uncirculated) BU sells for around $2800. This is with a gold spot price of $2,326 as of this writing, so if you bought one, you would be paying about 20 percent over spot. In contrast, A 2024 Amercian Gold Eagle BU can be bought for about $2,447 per coin, which is about 5% over spot price. It’s important to point out that Gold Libertad has no face value but is backed by the Banco de Mexico.
Both coins are produced by the Mexican Mint, known as La Casa de Moneda de México.
Tips for buying Silver- Read here
So, we see the Mexican Gold Libertads have quite the premium price percentage. Silver Libertads are expensive too, similar in price to American Eagles and a little more expensive, but the difference isn’t as pronounced.
This raises the question why are these coins so expensive?
This really comes to down to three things:
History- The Mexican Silver Libertad is the world’s oldest silver bullion coin. The Mexican Mint began producing 1oz coins in 1982, four years before the US introduced the American Silver Eagle. In the 1990’s, the Mexican Mint introduced fractional silver rounds and really paved the path that all other world mints would follow -in terms of minting fractional coins (Note: A fractional bullion coin is any coin less than 1 oz). Read about Fractional gold here It should be said too Gold Mexican Libertads were introduced in the early 1980’s as well.
Mintage- The coins are minted in very low quantities, and really in my opinion this makes them semi-numismatic. Different years have different quantities produced.
Design- The Design is very popular among stackers and collectors. One sign shows the winged victory or Angel of Independence while the other side shows the Mexican coat of arms, which includes an eagle standing on a cactus while devouring a snake.
Three Reasons to Buy Gold and Silver- Read here
Should you buy these coins?
This depends on your goals and obviously your budget too. I don’t see myself going for a full tube of Mexican Silver Libertads anytime soon but adding maybe a few each time I buy something else.
That said, the gold coin I might have to wait longer on. Over time, the premium will more than likely be higher and higher. Right now, Mexican Gold Libertads can be $300 to $500 more expensive than other 1 oz bullion gold coins from reputable mints, like the Royal Canadian Mint. In time that premium difference could be $1000 or $2000. This definitely bolsters the argument for buying some of these coins now. It really depends if you think the return on investment will be worth it or it’s just smarter to buy more generic silver rounds. I tend to favor the latter.
If you own any of these coins, comment and let me know why you bought them or any other key things around the Mexican Libertads.
These are obviously quality silver and gold coins, so the question does come down to price. With the extra money you’ll be spending with the high premiums, it’s basically money you could be using to buy more bullion. I believe that I will be buying at least a few Silver Mexican Libertads this year though. I plan on trying to buy them on sale and with the Apmex sale that would be ideal, but unfortunetly I don’t think I’ll be buying for a least a few more weeks.
Thanks!
