Antigua Ferretería y Mercería de la Palma G Medal (1892)

Merchant medals were struck by businesses and companies as an advertising draw, a gift to customers or a redeemable voucher. They constitute a rich testimony of the mercantile life of the Porfiriato, an era of urban commercial expansion and the appearance of large stores.

This 1892 bronze piece corresponds to the Antigua Ferreteria y Merceria de la Palma, an establishment that, like many businesses of the time, used these pieces to promote itself. Hardware and haberdashery stores supplied tools, fabrics and everyday items.

Merchant medallic art documents the growth of consumption and advertising in Porfirian Mexico. These store tokens and medals are today curious pieces that reflect what urban commerce was like before the Mexican Revolution.

What it shows

The reverse carries a monument to Christopher Columbus surrounded by the legend CRISTOBAL COLON DESCUBRIDOR DE AMÉRICA and the dates 1492-1892, which mark the four centuries since the arrival in America. The obverse shows a laurel wreath with the central inscription ANTIGUA FERRETERIA Y MERCERIA DE LA PALMA, the signature G. LOHSE Y Cia. SUCS and, below, MÉXICO.

Context

It is a Mexican commercial medal of 1892 issued by the Antigua Ferretería y Mercería de la Palma, a Mexico City trading house linked to the firm G. Lohse y Cía. Sucesores. It was struck in the heat of the fourth Columbian centennial, when many businesses took advantage of the anniversary to produce commemorative and advertising pieces. Mercantile tokens of this kind from the 19th century are a testament to Porfirian-era commerce.

Value and collecting

It is not legal tender and had no legal-tender power: it is a commemorative and advertising piece. The value is ruled by the state of preservation, the metal, and demand from collectors of Mexican exonumia. Specimens with crisp relief and intact patina command more. If you want to buy, sell, or request an expert appraisal, check the store directory or open the topic in the forum.