What Does Money Look Like in Mexico?
Discover the visual identity of Mexican currency. Understand what pesos and centavos look like for confident recognition.
The Mexican Peso (MXN), identified by the symbol “$” or sometimes “MXN$”, serves as Mexico’s official currency. This currency comprises both banknotes and coins, which have undergone various redesigns. While newer versions are commonly encountered, some older designs may still circulate.
Mexican Peso Banknotes
Current Mexican banknotes, primarily from the “G Family” series, feature distinct designs and materials. The 20-peso note, made of polymer, displays a red and green color scheme. Its front commemorates the bicentennial of Mexican independence, showing the Army of Three Guarantees entering Mexico City. The back illustrates the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, featuring mangroves and a crocodile.
The 50-peso note, also polymer, is characterized by its purple and dark green hues. The obverse side presents a fragment of the “TEOCALLI DE LA GUERRA SAGRADA” monolith alongside a mural depicting the ancient city of Tenochtitlan. On the reverse, the Xochimilco ecosystem is shown, complete with an axolotl.
The 100-peso note, a polymer currency, is predominantly red. It features Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a literary figure from the colonial period, on the front. The back highlights the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, celebrating Mexico’s natural heritage.
The 200-peso banknote, made from a hybrid substrate and colored green, honors independence heroes. The obverse depicts Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and José María Morelos y Pavón, accompanied by the historic Bell of Dolores. The reverse side showcases the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, with a golden eagle representing its scrubland and desert ecosystem.
The 500-peso note is printed on cotton paper and has a blue color. Its front features Benito Juárez, a figure in Mexico’s Liberal Reform and the restoration of the Republic. The back highlights the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve in Baja California, depicting a gray whale and its calf.
The 1000-peso note is gray and printed on cotton paper. The obverse side pays tribute to the Mexican Revolution with portraits of Francisco I. Madero, Hermila Galindo, and Carmen Serdán, alongside a locomotive. The reverse illustrates the Calakmul Mayan city and its rainforest ecosystem, featuring a jaguar.
Mexican Peso Coins
Mexican currency also includes a variety of coins, ranging from centavos to pesos. Both centavo and peso coins feature the national coat of arms—an eagle devouring a snake on a cactus—on one side. The reverse side displays the denomination and often includes stylized rings or elements inspired by the Aztec calendar. Centavo coins, such as the 10, 20, and 50 centavos, are monometallic and come in bronze or silver-colored finishes.
Peso coins, including 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 pesos, have designs that incorporate historical figures or other cultural symbols. Higher denominations, specifically the 10 and 20 peso coins, are bimetallic, composed of two different metals. While all denominations are legal tender, some, like the 50 centavo or certain commemorative 20 peso coins, might be encountered less frequently.
Identifying Genuine Currency
Verifying the authenticity of Mexican banknotes involves checking several security features. First, a tactile inspection for raised printing, known as intaglio, is important. You can feel this texture on the “BANCO DE MÉXICO” legend and the portraits on the banknotes. This raised ink provides a feel difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.
Second, holding the banknote up to a light source reveals features. Watermarks, faint images embedded in the paper, become visible, showing a portrait or denomination. A security thread, a thin strip embedded within the note, is visible vertically.
Third, tilting the banknote shows color-shifting ink and holographic elements. Numerical denominations or symbols change color when viewed from different angles. Transparent windows on polymer notes often have designs visible from both sides. Additionally, microprinting, tiny text requiring magnification, is another security measure. These features help confirm currency genuineness.