Agustín de Iturbide Medal (1822)

Medal dedicated to Agustín de Iturbide in 1822, the year of his coronation as emperor, engraved by Francisco Gordillo. It belongs to the proclamation and oath-of-allegiance series of the First Mexican Empire.

Iturbide was the key figure in the consummation of Independence in 1821, when he made a pact with Vicente Guerrero on the Plan de Iguala and led the entry of the Army of the Three Guarantees into the capital. A year later he was proclaimed emperor, and his effigy appeared on commemorative medals throughout the country.

These pieces, almost always in silver, were struck for the oath-of-allegiance ceremonies in which cities recognized the sovereign. They document the pinnacle of Iturbide's career, before his brief empire fell in 1823 and he ended up executed by firing squad the following year.

The Agustín de Iturbide Medal of 1822 is a silver piece struck for the inauguration of Agustín as First Emperor of Mexico, sworn in on July 21, 1822. It is not legal tender, but a commemorative medal marking the start of the First Mexican Empire. It is signed by the engraver Francisco Gordillo.

What it shows

One side bears the legend engraved within a laurel wreath, topped by a star: "INAUGURACION DE AGUSTIN PRIMER EMPERADOR DE MÉXICO. JULIO 21 DE 1822." The other presents the imperial eagle with a crown, wings spread, and perched on a nopal, surrounded by a cord of pearls. At the base appears the signature of the die's author.

Context

Iturbide was proclaimed emperor in May 1822 and crowned as Agustín I on July 21 of that year in the Metropolitan Cathedral. After the ceremony, oaths of obedience and public proclamations were held in various cities of the empire between 1822 and 1823, and commemorative medals like this one were struck for those events.

Value and collecting

Being a medal and not a coin, there is no face value in charge here: the condition, the sharpness of the engraving, and the metal are what matter. First Empire pieces are scarce and much sought after for their historical significance. Before buying or selling, compare verified offers in the shops directory and settle authenticity questions with other collectors in the forum.