Reverse The central part of the reverse features a relief image of the head of an indigenous stone statue. To its left is the Spanish inscription: "cultura olmeca", meaning "Olmec culture". To the right of the head is the mint year 1984, and below it the inscription: "20 c" - 20 centavos. Along the arc of the left edge of the coin is the Mexico City Mint mark. From the mint mark downwards, partially running along the rim and partially away from it, crossing the mint year, are decorative bracket-shaped elements.
Obverse The central part features the coat of arms of Mexico. To the left, top, and right along the rim is the country name in Spanish: "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS" (United Mexican States). The edge of the coin has decorative tooth-shaped elements.