MEXICO CITY – Five silver coins bearing images of Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan city named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, went on sale Monday, the Bank of Mexico said.

“Five fine metal commemorative coins featuring the architectural complex of Chichen Itza” are being sold in the series, the central bank said.

Chichen Itza’s importance has been recognized by previous numismatic programs in Mexico, with the Maya Collection of gold and silver coins being issued in 1993 as part of the Pre-Columbian Series, the Bank of Mexico said, adding that collectors around the world welcomed that issue.

The backs of 1,000-peso bills printed years ago by American Bank Note Company featured Chichen Itza’s famous El Castillo pyramid, the central bank said.

The new silver coins will continue spreading awareness of the richness of Mayan culture and architecture, the Bank of Mexico said.

Chichen Itza was selected as one of the new seven wonders of the world on July 7, 2007, based on a global poll.

“The new commemorative coins bear the numbers 070707 on the reverse” to mark the honor, the Bank of Mexico said.

The coins should be popular with both collectors and the general public due to their beauty and cultural significance, the central bank said.

The coins bear images of different Mayan monuments at Chichen Itza, such as the Pyramid of Kulkulcan.

Chichen Itza, which was built between 435 and 455, was the heart of Mayan civilization between 750 and 1200.

Mayan culture developed for about 1,000 years in southeastern Mexico, and extended south into present-day Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. EFE