Mavean Silver Kilunik

Silver Kilunik

Mava
Value	50 Pesos
Mass	31.1 g (1.0 troy oz)
Diameter	40.6 mm (1.52 in)
Thickness	4.0 mm (0.157 in)
Edge	Reeded
Composition	99.9% Ag
Years of minting	2013-present
Obverse
Design	Huey Tlatoani Macuilxochitzin
Reverse
Design	A kilunik in the wilderness
Designer	Maakulak Maapelit
Design date	2020

The Silver Kilunik is a silver coin originating from Mava and produced at the Casa de Moneda Imperial de Atitlán. The coin was introduced in 2013, with each annual issue seeing a new reverse design featuring the kilunik, a now-extinct wolf native to the islands.

The coins are available in various sizes and denominations, with a fine weight of between 1/10 ounce and 5kg in silver of 999/1000 fineness. The one ounce coin has a nominal value of 50 pesos and is legal tender in Atitlan (including Mava), although its silver weight greatly exceeds this.

The coins are noted for their designs, many of which have received praise amongst numismatists. Initially selling in only modest numbers, the Silver Kilunik has become a popular coin amongst collectors. In addition to the bullion version, a proof and reverse proof version of the coin is manufactured for the collectors market, with an additional premium. A limited run of coins with an antique finish was released in 2021, with a mintage of 20,000.

Design

The obverse features the bust of Huey Tlatoani Macuilxochitzin, as designed by Nil Ariza. Surrounding the bust is a legend reading: "MACUILXOCHITZIN • H TLAHT • ATIT • 50 PESOS," an abbreviation of "Macuilxochitzin Huey Tlahtoani de Atitlan." There is some dispute about the correct spelling of the monarch's title, with the Mavean coins using an alternative spelling now unused.

The reverse design changes each year. In each year, the kilunik features in some form. The coin's name and its purity, in Almagrian and Mavean, is also shown, as is the year of issue.

Material

The coins are minted with a silver fineness of 999/1000. The diameter is 40.6 mm, with a mass of 1 troy ounce). The edge was plain until 2015, after which it has been reeded. Beginning in 2015, additional denominations and weights have been produced: 1/2 ounce (25 pesos), 1/4 (10 pesos), and 1/10 (5 pesos) ounce. Since 2021, two (100 pesos) and five (250 pesos) ounce coins have been produced.

For special commemorative issues, there have been one and five kilogram coins have also been minted.

See also

• Mava
• Atitlan

External links

• Mava peso coins. Numisworld