The 1971 un peso (one peso) coin was minted in the oldest mint in the Americas – La Casa de la Moneda, the National Mint of Mexico. An iconic design which was produced between 1970 and 1983, this one peso coin features the Mexican coat of arms and the head of an iconic figure in Mexican history – José Maria Teclo Morelos y Pavón.

The reverse (or tails side) of the 1971 one peso coin features the denomination “UN PESO”, and the portrait of José Maria Teclo Morelos y Pavón to the right of center. José Maria Teclo Morelos was an important military leader in the Mexican War of Independence. He was a Catholic Priest and statesman, and the second ever President of the Republic of Mexico between 1806 and 1817.

Below the portrait is the date of issue, and to the right is the mint mark. The so-called MO mint mark belongs to La Casa de la Moneda, the National Mint of Mexico. It was the first mint established in the Americas and began minting coins in 1535. This makes it the oldest mint in the entire Americas. The mint mark features a small uppercase “O” above a larger uppercase “M”.