Study Of The Francisco Madero 20 Centavos (1974-1983)
by Scott Doll
Introduction
Francisco Madero served as President of Mexico from 1911 to 1913 after he helped overthrow the government of Porfirio Díaz who had ruled Mexico as a dictator for 35 years from 1876 to 1911. Unfortunately for Madero, he was not strong enough as a politician or as a leader to head off what would eventually become one of the bloodiest periods of Mexico and what we now refer to as the Mexican Revolution. The winds of revolution only grew stronger and more violent after Madero’s assassination on 22 February 1913 by forces of Victoriano Huerta, a former general under Díaz.
Although Madero was only President for a short period of time, his legacy lives on in coinage. Since his death, the Mexico Mint has immortalized Madero by putting his image on several 20th century coin issues. The Madero 20 centavos is one such coin which was struck in copper-nickel and minted from 1974 through 1983 and assigned the Krause-Mischler identification number KM-442.
This interesting little coin series has a little bit of everything for the collector which includes at least three bust and lapel types, double die varieties, an overdate, date (digit) varieties and lastly, a proof issue which was one of the first proof coins minted at the Mexican Mint. Carlos Amaya’s book Illustrated Price Guide of the Modern Mexican Coins 1905 to Date currently has the best documentation of the many varieties. The following information is a short summary of the different bust and lapel types, as well as some of the key varieties in this short-lived series.
Type 1 Bust and Lapel (Short Lapel)
The Type 1 Madero 20 centavos was the first bust and lapel type used for this series and was minted from 1974 through 1982. The dominant feature for this type includes a short lapel on Madero. The Type 1 has the most widely known documented varieties of the three known bust and lapel types. Some of the most popular varieties among collectors include the double dies. Examples are known to exist for Type 1 coins for every year minted. The most pronounced and collectible double dies exist for years 1977, 1978 and 1979.
Type 1 Double Die Varieties
The following scans help highlight a sample of some of the most noteworthy double dies from the Type 1 bust and lapel.
Type 1: 1977 Double Die Reverse (Photo courtesy of Ms. Soma Gupta and Mr. Rohit Gupta)
The Type 1 also has one of the most interesting overdates ever documented. Instead of a higher year (1982) over a lower year (1981), this Type 1 coin has a lower year (1981) over a higher year (1982). Some believe this occurred due to a need by the mint to strike additional 20 centavos coins in late 1981. With no 1981 dies available for use, the mint apparently used a newly created 1982 die produced for the upcoming year and modified the date which created an obvious 1981 over 1982 overdate.
Type 1: 1978 Double Die Reverse
Type 1: 1979 Double Die Reverse
Type 1: 1979 Double Die Obverse
Type 2 Bust and Lapel (Long Lapel)
The Type 2 bust and lapel shows a redesigned lapel where the lapel is now much longer than that used in the Type 1 coins. This attribute is noted in the image to the left. This type can be found in coins minted from 1981 through 1983.
The Type 2 bust and lapel coins have a date (digit) variety for 1981 which is different than what is seen in the Type 1 for the same year and can easily be recognized by a slanted “9” versus a curled “9” in the tail of the digit as well as an open “8” versus a closed “8” in the date.
Type 3 Bust and Lapel (Long Lapel with “Notch” in the Collar)
The Type 3 bust and lapel struck only during 1983 shows a slightly redesigned Type 2 lapel where there is now a small curved “notch” above the “3” which is the last digit in the date. This attribute is noted in the image to the left.
This type also has a different date (digit) for the year 1983 where the “3” in the date has a flattened top, not a round top as seen on the Type 2 issue.
Type 1: 1981
With curled “9” at the tail and a closed “8”
Type 2: 1981
With slanted “9” at the tail and an open “8”
Lastly, the Type 3 bust and lapel type also has the only known Madero 20 centavos (KM-442) proof coin minted during this short lived series. Only 998 pieces were reportedly minted.
Type 2: 1983
With a rounded top “3”
Type 3: 1983
With a flat top “3”
Type 2: 1983 (Proof) With a flat top “3”
Scarcity and Summary
Most coins from this series are very common and can be easily found at reasonable prices from coin shops, coin shows and online auctions, however some of the varieties are scarce and can be a challenge to find. The most difficult coins to attain are the many double die varieties which can sometimes be found at unexpectedly low prices since many dealers do not realize what they are or they do not have them catalogued or priced to match their scarcity. Be patient and willing to look through dealer coin boxes or junk boxes and you may be pleasantly surprised when you get one in decent condition. The 1981/82 overdate and the 1983 proof are also relatively scarce coins and will demand higher prices. Once again, be patient and you should be able to find them in various auctions or coin shows. Happy hunting!