Overview
- Mexico’s mint published its 2025–2030 program confirming a transition to steel cores electroplated with bronze for 1, 2 and 5‑peso coins starting in the current planning period.
- Existing coins will remain legal tender during the multi‑year changeover, with no alterations to designs, dimensions or weight.
- Projected savings from the material shift are estimated at 300–400 million pesos, with the plan framed under ESG goals that include lower carbon footprint and circular‑economy practices.
- Technical trials in 2023 using electroplated blanks from the Royal Canadian Mint showed the approach is feasible for minting these denominations.
- Rising cash use is driving the move, with Banxico’s coin orders above 500 million since early 2022 and expectations to exceed 3,000 million coins per year in coming years, as the mint also evaluates a domestic blank‑production line in San Luis Potosí to reduce import reliance.