Watch List notes:

MEXICO. Silver 50 Centavos Pattern, 1947. Mexico City Mint. NGC MS-64.
KM-Unlisted; cf. Luna-p. 344 (for a die with similar characteristics). Featuring a left-facing bust of Benito Juarez, this EXCEEDINGLY RARE and POSSIBLY UNIQUE specimen dazzles with a rather deep tone composed of burnt sienna, magenta, and gunmetal gray. Meanwhile, some glistening hints of luster accentuate the devices when cradled back and forth in one's hand. Undoubtedly, an immense rarity that should greatly excite the community and those focused upon 20th century curiosities.

In 1945, the 50 Centavos "Resplandor" (KM-447) coin was withdrawn from circulation, with multiple factors leading to this decision. Namely, an increase in the price of silver, a surplus stock accumulation of previous years, and economic struggles in the post-WWII Mexican economy. In that same year, the "Resplandor" Peso (KM-455) was also demonitized. Two years later, with the market stabilized, the decree of 19 September 1947 was passed, authorizing the coining of denominations in the amount of 50 Centavos, Pesos, and 5 Pesos, with many patterns being prepared by the mint in Mexico City:

1) Copper-Nickel 50 Centavos, 1945, featuring Juarez. Luna-PL-15.

2) Silver Peso, 1947, featuring Morelos. Luna-PL-16.

3) Silver Peso, 1947, featuring Juarez. Luna-PL-17.

4) Silver 5 Pesos, 1947, featuring scales. Luna-PL-18.

Only the two major denominations were approved, KM-456 for the "Cacheton" Peso, and KM-465 for the "Cuauhtemoc" 5 Pesos. The interesting part of the story is that, despite the known 1945 50 Centavos Pattern, the government decree foresaw a different design and metal. Pablo Luna, in his 2018 book Las Pruebas de la Moneda Mexicana del Siglo XX disclosed a die from the Mexican Mint collection with a very similar appearance (p. 344), with the bust of Juarez and the inscriptions that the aforementioned decree set forth. A struck example, however, was not known until now. This specimen serves as the first evidence that the illustrated die was actually utilized, possibly only once, and acts as a missing piece of the puzzle, illuminated after seven decades.

Estimate: $10000 - $15000