Expert: Brad Swain - 2/22/2010

Question
I'd like an estimate on the value of two Mexican coins:

1) Obverse side: Cinco Centavos around the top of the coin, with an M above the date 1959 which is placed under the woman's profile.  The profile is facing to the right.  Reverse: Estados Unidos Mexicanos around the coin with the picture of an eagle holding a snake in its mouth. Coin is about the size of a US nickel. Coin shows very little wear. When I've looked this up on the internet I can't find a 5 centavos coin in this year, or with this woman's profile?!

2) Obverse: Cinco Centavos M 1970 around the top of the coin, profile of a woman facing right; Reverse: same as describe in coin above. Coin is about the size of a US dime. Very little wear.  

thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Karen, There were 106 million of the brass Mexican 5 centavos coins featuring Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez minted in Mexico City (Mo) in 1959. It may be worth about .10 to .75 depending on amount of wear and collector demand.
There were 163.4 million of the brass 1970 5c coins minted and it may be worth .10 to .35.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad