I acquired a nice looking copper 1980 20 centavos coin. Only problem is when I google search 1980 20 centavos nothing comes up. I havent seen anything past 1973 in this style. Plus, on top of that, on one side with the desert scene, mine says "Mexico". On the ones i saw online they all said "centavos". On the front side with the bird, again it says "Mexico". Yet on the ones i found on google say "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS". Is this thing fake, a tourist gadget, a misprint, or a rarity? Please help. Thanks!!
In order for it to be fake, it should at least look the same as the original. This seems like some fantasy piece or token.
Very well might be, but I wouldn't imagine a "fantasy piece" being made out of anything other than tin or steel. This is a non magnetic material, I am almost 99% sure its copper. I weighed it with my postage scale. It doesn't do very well with things under 1lb, but i got a reading of between .3-.4oz. Which is along the lines of the 20 centavos weight of 10g. Keep in mind my photo taking skills arent the greatest either. I have held a legitimate 20 centavos piece and i honestly can not see or feel a difference.
Very well might be, but I wouldn't imagine a "fantasy piece" being made out of anything other than tin or steel. This is a non magnetic material, I am almost 99% sure its copper. I weighed it with my postage scale. It doesn't do very well with things under 1lb, but i got a reading of between .3-.4oz. Which is along the lines of the 20 centavos weight of 10g. Keep in mind my photo taking skills arent the greatest either. I have held a legitimate 20 centavos piece and i honestly can not see or feel a difference. After studying google pictures very closely, you are right, compared to the 70's 20 centavos, it looks like a token, but compared to one from the 40's or 50's, it looks legit. It seems the birds neck was elongated after the 50's, the cacti were thicker and the snake was solid instead of outlined. Here are some better pics with a morgan for size comparison.
just got a exactly similar coin (Mexico 1980 20 Centavos). looks like a well made fantasy token to me. Maybe someone somehow used a real 20 centavos coin and did this?
