“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven
I had originally featured the inaugural 1982 Mexican Onza Libertad last January in Part 5 so It’s about time to present it’s sophomore the 1983 in it’s shiny glory.
A slightly smaller mintage than the 1982, this series of the Onza Libertad was produced in large mintage up to and including 1995.
The 1996 to 1999 Libertad Series followed with a larger coin profile, same Coat of Arms obverse but an updated the Winged Victory reverse with a different perspective. However, this Libertad series was marked with much smaller mintages thus adding a significant premium if you what this particular ‘Type’ coin. With Silver prices rising and my postal curse, I’d be lucky to get any of these at a reasonable price.
Then we have current 2000 to 2021 version of the Mexican Libertad we have. I still have a 2013 Libertad to show my community.
My Silver coin for today
1983 Mexico 1 Onza Libertad
Sister Teresa D’Mordecai Part 15: The Martyr and the Diablo
December 22, 1815, in San Cristóbal Ecatepec
At last, the fresh air was a welcomed relief from the dark stuffy filthy holding cell of this unnamed building, not that it was important, but for the last hour he listened to the clamor of an army assembled for a show of force. Perhaps they were preparing for not only his execution, but more likely to deter any rash Rebel rescue force. Father Morelos would settle more on a miraculous spiritual deliverance than an earthly one.
“If you only realize the trouble you could have saved yourself and I General Morelos.” Major colonel Oréaga grinned as his guard unlocked the heavy iron shackles from his prisoner’s wrists and legs. José massaged his aching wrists and straightened his coat sleaves to cover the sores.
The noon sun was bright over San Cristóbal. On his left there were two ranks of ten Royalist soldiers in their blue uniforms accompanied by Oréaga’s entire command. To his right was an adobe fashioned wall where he will be executed. He reached into his coat pocket and held out his personal Bible and crucifix and began to whisper a prayer as he calmly stepped towards his final destiny unprompted by his guards.
1983 Mexico 1 Onza Libertad
“You seemed to be eager for your martyrdom.” Quipped Oréaga, “It didn’t have to happen this way if you had joined me at my offer. We could have crushed this insignificant rebellion of Hidalgo’s and we would be living in rich splendor under the generous auspices of our Viceroy. I admit that you have exceptional military talent that would get you far in the army of the Viceroy. You have made me look bad in several battles as my enemy. But it’s your loss and I don’t need the competition.
Then, there is that Silver mine hidden somewhere in St Angeléasta my spies have yet to find. The wealth of a productive mine is wasted on peasants and your holy war as you call it in your very passionate speech to the court.” The Major Colonel grasped Morelos’ shoulder and stopped to looked him in the face, his voice more hushed, “Tell me now where it is, and I will signal my guard to load cloth instead of musket ball so you can feign death. I promise you that I have arranged a ready coach and safe escort to spirit you along with two hundred gold Escudos to your mistress and children to grow old in America. Just tell me where the mine is now, what do you say General?”
1983 Mexico 1 Onza Libertad
“You seem impatient my amigo.” Morelos replied, “It would be shame to waste such a beautiful morning.” He turns and resumed the steady pace to his final destiny.
Citizens of San Cristóbal began to appear in droves responding to rumors of the execution of the Rebel leader. More Guards were dispatched to enforce a perimeter from the unexpected growing crowd. A crowd that may become unruly the moment Morelos is executed.
The defiant Rebel Leader stopped and turned to face the firing squad.
José’s thoughts rested on his prayer of St Stephan, the Martyr’s prayer. But in his thoughts flashing by were the faces of all the human suffering and hardship under the hand of the tyranny, injustice, and discrimination he had borne witness to. It was not just the office of the Viceroy, but also much of the Mexico City Church leadership had traded her Samaritan heart for one of money and power. If the Holy Lord himself was here he’d point that out and Jose’s conscience was clear to point that accusatory finger of guilt and called for repentance on their part, then a prayer of forgiveness of their Pharisee-like hand in his execution. He addresses his audience.
And our Bonus silver coin for Today
1960 Mexico 1 Peso
“There must be equality, justice and the rule of law and I know the people of Mexico desires that. Many have already died for it and more will come and only with Independence that can be achieved. Friends, Citizens of the State of Mexico I give my life to free you from the Tyranny that enslaves us, it is God’s will for every man to be free to…”
Oréaga snaps his fingers. With a grunt a guard delivers a heavy blow of his musket butt into José’s belly sending him to his knees in pain.
José glared at the Major Colonel in sheer defiance, “I will not live under the tyranny of the Viceroy or any underling of his kind, nor will I tell you where the Silver mine is. It belongs to the people and the revolution!”
“Too bad.” Disappointed Oréaga nodded for the execution to begin and motions the Court officer to read the formal charges.
The officer representing the court unsealed a parchment and faced the rebel General, “José María Teclo Morelos Pérez y Pavón, you have been tried and convicted of twenty-three counts of treason and disloyalty against Spanish crown and to the rightful authority the Viceroy of New Spain. It is thereby ordered that you will be executed at noon this day of December 22nd, 1815 by Firing squad. Do you wish a blindfold?”
The General slowly stands back up on his feet, “No, I will not be blind when heaven bound and miss the glory that awaits me.”
1960 Mexico 1 Peso
“This will give me great pleasure to have my hand in your death!” Sneered Oréaga. The drum roll starts, and the ten soldiers snap to attention. The Major colonel joins his squad and draws his sword. “¡Listos!”
As the solder’s equipment clatter to the deployment of arms José began to thank God of the wonderful friends and compatriots of past. To find among friends a rich wealth in true passion, patriotic vision and even love in the oddest of places.
“¡Apuntad!”
The face of one amazing Nun named Teresa came to mind. A smile came to his bruised face. José adjusted his head scarf to make sure it would be proper when he sees his beloved Theresa again.
“¡Fuego!”
December 23rd, The San Angeléasta valley road.
Shots rang in the early morning with the sun still just below the horizon.
Francisco stopped the wagon when he heard the ruckus. Voices of screaming men, another shot followed by the sound of fleeing horses from over the nearby ridge.
Then there was silence.
The desert can hide many things.
Normally he would have turned back but he’d had been in this position before. He watched patiently for a sign of whether to turn back to St. Angeléasta or to continue to the mine. Curious, the mining crew stood up on the wagon. They were not afraid but have the same expectation of something.
About ten minutes later two dark familiar riders emerge on top of that ridge. The Miners cheered as they begin to recognize their guardian angels in black, “Viva Argénta Savioré! Viva Teresa De La Rosa!”
No longer disposed to Convent fashion the sewing women of the San Angeléasta had outfitted the two señoritas with more suitable outdoor wear for hunting Royalist prey.
Francisco stood up to welcome them, “Buenos Dias, our señoritas are looking good! Si, lord blesses you with good hunting with four more horses and guns for the Revolutionary army. Gracias for your service.”
Argénta nodded, “These are not soldiers, but hired guns, ruffians, criminals and anyone they could pay to do Oréaga’s dirty work. Our reputation must be a good one Sis.”
“We discovered six more Royalist desperadoes following you but two still got away. I made sure they got a good look at my mask. You will find four bodies over the ridge…” Teresa’s demeanor change, her face turned tearful and whispers his name, “… José!”
Argénta nudges her horse over to Teresa's and holds her hand,“What’s wrong my Sister?”
“I’m not sure but... my heart tells me… that José is dead.”
Gracias, my amigos for reading my long-storied blog today…
Or at least enjoyed the shiny pictures…
The #fiestatuesday tag is the brainchild of SGS Tag Master 
Previous chapters of Sister Teresa D’Mordecai;
1933 Silver One Peso – Sister Teresa D’Mordecai, Part 1
References
1. My own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W
Sources
Numista: 1983 Mexico 1 Onza Libertad
“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”
