1 oz Libertad Silver Coin

The Only Major Bullion Coin with No Face Value

The 1 oz Silver Libertad contains 31.1 grams of .999 fine silver, struck by Casa de Moneda de Mexico, the oldest operating mint in the Americas, founded in 1535. The Libertad stands alone among sovereign bullion coins worldwide: it carries no face value denomination stamped on the coin. Its legal tender status is guaranteed by Banco de Mexico based on the market value of its silver content, a unique arrangement that makes it conceptually different from every other coin on this page.

The silver series launched in 1982, one year after the gold Libertad debuted. Gold purity changed from .900 to .999 in 1991, but silver has been .999 since the beginning. The reverse depicts the Angel of Independence (El Angel), the winged victory statue atop the Monumento a la Independencia on Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma, with the volcanoes Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl in the background. The obverse carries the Mexican coat of arms, with the 2000 redesign adding 10 historical versions of the coat of arms in a ring surrounding the central eagle.

Libertad mintages are consistently among the lowest of any major sovereign bullion series. Some year and size combinations have mintages in the hundreds or low thousands. The 2025 1 oz BU silver Libertad had approximately 300 coins struck, the lowest in series history. This extreme scarcity drives premiums well above other government silver coins; the Libertad trades on a combination of metal value and collector demand for its limited production rather than competing on premium alone with coins like the 1oz Silver Maple Leaf or 1oz Silver Philharmonic.

Since 2018, three denominations (1 oz, 2 oz, and 5 oz) have also been available in an antiqued finish in limited numbers, adding another dimension to the collector market. An extremely rare 1989 platinum Libertad (3,500 coins, 1/4 oz only) rounds out the series' claim to producing some of the scarcest modern bullion coins in existence.

Libertad Silver Coin Specifications

Silver Libertad Denomination Range

The Libertad is produced in eight silver denominations, an unusually wide range for a sovereign bullion series. The 1 kg coin in regular annual production is itself uncommon among government mints.

Libertad Tax Treatment by Country

United States

The gold Libertad's IRA eligibility is a grey area. The IRS does not specifically list the Casa de Moneda de Mexico as an approved foreign mint in Section 408(m)(3)(A), unlike the Eagles, Maple Leafs, and Britannias. The .999 fineness technically meets the generic bullion provision, but custodian acceptance varies. Silver Libertads are more straightforward: .999 silver meets the IRA purity threshold, and silver Libertads are exempt from 1099-B dealer reporting requirements. Capital gains are taxed at the collectibles rate of up to 28%. Approximately 35 states exempt bullion from sales tax.

United Kingdom

Gold Libertads qualify as VAT-free investment gold under the UK investment gold directive. Silver Libertads carry 20% VAT. The Libertad is not CGT-exempt in the UK because it is not UK legal tender denominated in sterling. The 1oz Silver Britannia remains the only major silver coin with UK CGT exemption.

European Union

Gold Libertads typically appear on the EU's annual investment gold coin list, providing VAT exemption across member states. Silver Libertads are subject to VAT at local rates, with margin scheme treatment available in some countries for legal tender coins.

Mexico

The Libertad is legal tender in Mexico, with its value tied to metal content by Banco de Mexico decree. Gold coins carry no VAT. Silver coins may be subject to IVA (16%) when classified as non-investment-grade, though investment bullion is generally exempt.

Canada

Gold above .995 purity is exempt from GST/HST. Silver is subject to GST/HST. The Libertad is not widely stocked by Canadian dealers or custodians.

Australia

Investment-grade gold at 99.5% purity is GST-free. Silver at 99.9% purity qualifies as investment-grade. Capital gains apply with a 50% discount for holdings over 12 months.

Libertad vs Eagle, Maple Leaf, and Britannia

The Libertad occupies a unique position in the silver bullion market. It is a sovereign mint product with legal tender status, but its extremely low mintages and corresponding high premiums place it closer to the numismatic end of the spectrum than any other major government silver coin.

The 1oz American Silver Eagle has annual production exceeding 30 million coins in peak years compared to Libertad mintages that can dip into the hundreds. The Eagle has a USD 1 face value, strong IRA eligibility, and the deepest liquidity of any silver coin in North America. The Libertad's premiums are typically higher on purchase, and while collector demand supports strong resale prices for dated coins, the buy-sell spread is wider. Both are .999 fine silver. Buyers who want the most silver per dollar will choose the Eagle; buyers who value scarcity and the Libertad's unique no-denomination status accept the premium as the price of limited supply.

The 1oz Silver Maple Leaf is the technical specification leader at .9999 purity, with Bullion DNA authentication and MintShield anti-tarnish coating. The Libertad has no modern security features beyond its high-relief design detail and reeded edge. The Maple Leaf's unlimited production and global dealer network give it far superior liquidity and consistently lower premiums. The Libertad counters with scarcity and its unique absence of face value, features that appeal to a different type of buyer.

The 1oz Silver Britannia offers UK buyers something the Libertad cannot: CGT exemption. For UK-based investors, the Britannia's tax advantage on disposal typically outweighs the Libertad's lower purchase premiums (when available at competitive prices). The Britannia's four-part security suite from 2021 also provides authentication confidence that the Libertad lacks. In markets outside the UK, the comparison is more about premium versus scarcity. The Britannia has unlimited mintage and wider availability; the Libertad has controlled scarcity and a collector following that sustains its premium on the secondary market.

The Libertad's strongest appeal is to buyers who see silver bullion as a collecting pursuit as much as an investment. The combination of sovereign backing, no face value, extremely limited mintages, and the heritage of the oldest mint in the Western Hemisphere creates a product profile that no other silver coin replicates.