1 Kilo Libertad Silver Coin

A Kilogram of Silver from the Americas' Oldest Mint

The 1 Kilo Libertad is a large-format silver coin from Casa de Moneda de Mexico, the oldest operating mint in the Western Hemisphere (founded in 1535). Containing 1,000 grams of .999 fine silver with a diameter of 110mm, it is one of the more physically imposing silver coins in regular annual production. It is also one of the rarest, as Libertad mintages are consistently among the lowest of any major sovereign bullion series.

The Libertad is the only major sovereign bullion coin worldwide that carries no face value. There is no denomination stamped on the coin. Its legal tender status is guaranteed by Banco de Mexico, with the value floating at the market price of its silver content. This makes it unique among bullion: every other major series (the Britannia, Maple Leaf, American Eagle, Philharmonic) has a fixed nominal face value.

The reverse features the Winged Victory (Angel of Independence), the statue that crowns the Monumento a la Independencia on Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma. Behind her stand the snow-capped volcanoes Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. The obverse displays the Mexican coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a serpent), surrounded since the 2000 redesign by ten historical versions of the coat of arms representing Mexico's evolution from colonial rule through independence and revolution.

For buyers considering a kilogram of silver, the Libertad commands higher premiums than the 1 Kilo Noah's Ark or the 1 Kilo Britannia. That premium reflects scarcity, not purity or security features. Buyers who value low premiums will find better options elsewhere; those who value rarity and the Libertad's distinctive character will pay the difference.

1 Kilo Libertad Silver Coin Specifications

The coin ships in individual protective packaging. Its 110mm diameter makes it noticeably larger than the 1 Kilo Britannia or Noah's Ark (both around 100mm). Since 2018, some Libertad denominations have also been available in an antiqued finish with further limited numbers, though the kilo size is typically produced in Brilliant Uncirculated only.

Design Elements

The reverse shows the Angel of Independence with outstretched wings, holding a laurel wreath in one hand and broken chains in the other, symbolising Mexico's freedom from Spanish colonial rule. The background volcanoes (Popocatepetl at 5,426m and Iztaccihuatl at 5,230m) are visible from Mexico City on clear days. The obverse ring of ten historical coats of arms, added in the 2000 redesign, traces Mexico's national identity from the Aztec eagle legend through Spanish viceroyalty, independence, and the modern republic.

Libertad 1 Kilo Silver: Tax Treatment by Country

The Libertad's lack of a stamped face value creates an unusual tax situation. It is legal tender in Mexico, but its status in foreign jurisdictions depends on each country's definition of qualifying bullion and investment coins.

In the United Kingdom, silver coins are subject to 20% VAT. The Libertad is not UK legal tender, so it does not qualify for CGT exemption. Gold Libertads are typically VAT-exempt as investment gold (they appear on the EU/UK investment gold coin list), but this exemption does not extend to silver. The margin scheme may apply for pre-owned Libertad coins sold by UK dealers.

In the United States, the Libertad's IRA eligibility is not straightforward. Gold and silver Libertads are not specifically listed in IRS Section 408(m)(3)(A) as named IRA-eligible coins (unlike American Eagles and Maple Leafs). However, the .999 purity may qualify under the generic bullion provision. Eligibility depends on custodian interpretation. State sales tax exemptions vary.

In Mexico, the coin is legal tender. No VAT applies to gold coins; silver coins may be subject to IVA (16%) depending on their classification.

Other Markets

• Canada: Gold exempt from GST/HST at .995+ purity. Silver may be subject to GST/HST.
• EU: Gold Libertads typically appear on the EU annual investment gold coin list (VAT-exempt). Silver Libertads attract standard VAT rates, though margin scheme treatment may apply in some countries.
• Australia: GST treatment depends on whether the coin meets investment-grade definitions.
• Singapore: May qualify for GST exemption under the IPM scheme at .999 purity. No capital gains tax.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.

From the Onza to the Libertad: Mexico's Silver Coinage Tradition

Mexico has one of the longest silver mining and coinage histories of any nation. The Spanish colonial mint in Mexico City (Casa de Moneda de Mexico, established 1535) produced the famous "pieces of eight" that circulated globally for centuries. Silver has been central to the Mexican economy since the Aztec and colonial periods, and Mexico remains one of the world's largest silver producers.

The modern Libertad series traces its lineage to the Onza, a 1 oz silver coin produced from 1949 to 1979. The Libertad succeeded the Onza in 1982, with gold versions following a year earlier in 1981. Silver purity has been .999 since the series began. Gold purity was .900 from 1981 to 1990, then upgraded to .999 in 1991.

The 1 Kilo denomination is unusual for a sovereign bullion series in regular annual production. Most sovereign mints produce kilo coins as limited or collector editions; the Libertad kilo is part of the standard bullion lineup alongside seven other silver sizes ranging from 1/20 oz to 5 oz. The full range of eight silver denominations is unmatched by any other sovereign bullion series.

Mintage numbers for the Libertad are consistently low compared to peers. The 2025 silver Libertad saw extremely limited BU production, with the 1 oz denomination reportedly limited to approximately 300 coins, the lowest in series history. This scarcity is a defining characteristic: Libertad premiums reflect supply constraint, not production cost or security features. Some year/size combinations have mintages in the hundreds or low thousands, making specific vintages genuinely scarce.

In 1989, Casa de Moneda produced 3,500 quarter-ounce Libertad platinum coins, the only platinum issue in the series' history. That production run remains one of the rarest modern bullion coins from any sovereign mint.

Libertad 1 Kilo vs Britannia, Noah's Ark, and Silver Bars

The 1 Kilo Britannia is the most feature-rich kilo silver coin available: four anti-counterfeiting features, annually changing designs, CGT exemption for UK residents, and the backing of The Royal Mint. It typically carries higher premiums than the 1 Kilo Noah's Ark but lower premiums than the Libertad. For UK buyers, the Britannia's CGT exemption is a significant advantage that the Libertad cannot match.

The 1 Kilo Noah's Ark offers the lowest premiums of the three kilo coins. It benefits from margin scheme VAT treatment in the UK and EU, legal tender status (10,000 Dram), and the manufacturing standards of LEV in Germany. For cost-conscious buyers who want a kilo of legal tender silver at the best price, the Noah's Ark is typically the strongest option.

The Libertad's premium sits above both alternatives, driven entirely by mintage scarcity. It offers no advanced security features (no micro-engraving, no latent images), no CGT exemption in any major market, and uncertain IRA eligibility. Its appeal is the combination of a distinctive design, the prestige of the Americas' oldest mint, and genuine rarity. Collectors and long-term holders who value these qualities will find the Libertad worth the premium. Pure stackers optimising cost per ounce will not.

Silver kilo bars from LBMA-accredited refiners offer the lowest premiums at this weight, typically below all three coin options. The trade-off is no legal tender status, no margin scheme VAT benefit, and no collector appeal. In markets without VAT considerations (US, Singapore, Hong Kong), bars are usually the cheapest way to acquire a kilogram of silver.