Mexican "Libertad" (1 of 2).

The Mexican Libertad Silver Bullion Coins are struck annually for investors and collectors and were first minted in 1982. A winged angel design has been portrayed on the coin since its inception but a re-design occurred in 1996 to "make it more attractive" (according to the Mexican Mint). That design, which is still used today, depicts the spectacular Angel of Independence -- an eight ton golden statue on top of a tall slender column in Mexico City. The angel towers above a background of the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl.

The obverse or "heads" side of the coin features an eagle battling a snake (Mexico's national coat of arms), which is surrounded by a wreath and the words "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS". Encircling the center are ten eagle designs that have been used as National Emblems through the centuries, including one depicted in the 16th century Mendocino Codex.

The Inscription surrounding the top includes the numerical size following by "ONZA" for "ounce", then "PLATA PURA" for "pure silver", the year of issue, "LEY" (Fine....the purity of the metal) and ".999" (i.e. 999 parts-per-thousand pure (Silver in this case, or Gold)).