Mexico Unveils New Coins Celebrating Ancient Heritage and Maya Civilization

Mexico is updating its currency with new designs that celebrate the country's rich indigenous history.

 

The Bank of Mexico announced that new 10 and 20-peso coins will gradually replace current versions, featuring iconic symbols from Mexico's ancient civilizations.

 

The New Designs

 

The 10-peso coin will showcase Tonatiuh, the Aztec sun god, taken from the famous Sun Stone. This ancient calendar stone is one of Mexico's most recognized archaeological treasures.

 

The 20-peso coin will feature the Temple of Kukulkán from Chichén Itzá, a site many Puerto Morelos residents and visitors have explored during day trips to the Yucatán. This UNESCO World Heritage site is just a few hours' drive from our coastal town.

 

Both coins will maintain the national coat of arms on the front side with the inscription "Estados Unidos Mexicanos."

 

Security Features and Materials

 

The Bank of Mexico designed these coins with enhanced security features. The 20-peso coin will include microtext reading "Chichén Itzá, Temple of Kukulkán — Cultural Heritage" and will have a distinctive dodecagonal (12-sided) shape.

 

The coins will use a new mix of metal alloys to optimize production costs while maintaining quality. This change comes as part of the Mexican Mint's efforts to adapt to metal availability and strengthen security systems.

 

What This Means for Puerto Morelos

 

For residents and businesses in Puerto Morelos, there's no immediate action needed. The current 10 and 20-peso coins will remain valid currency alongside the new designs. The transition will happen gradually as the new coins enter circulation.

 

Additional Currency Updates Coming

 

The currency updates won't stop with these two coins. Mexico is also preparing to release new 1, 2, and 5-peso coins made of bronze-coated steel as part of the Mexican Mint's 2025–2030 program.

 

For tourists visiting Puerto Morelos, these new coins will offer a tangible connection to Mexico's ancient heritage, including the nearby Maya civilization that once dominated the Yucatán Peninsula, including our region of Quintana Roo.

 

The new coins serve as pocket-sized reminders of the cultural history that surrounds our coastal community.