Ayuntamiento de México Medal (1874)

Silver medal of the Mexico City Council, dated 1874 and engraved by S. Navalón, among the exposition pieces.

During the years of the Restored Republic, Mexico City promoted expositions of products, arts and industries as part of the drive for material progress that animated the country after overcoming the war and the foreign intervention. The capital's council sponsored these competitions and awarded outstanding exhibitors.

Of good module, this piece was given as a distinction to prominent participants. It documents the role of the capital's municipal government in fostering the economy and the arts, in an era when expositions were a showcase of national development and a stimulus for artisans, industrialists and producers.

The Ayuntamiento de México medal of 1874 is a silver award that the government of Mexico City granted to outstanding exhibitors at its Municipal Exhibition.

What it shows

One face displays the exhibition building beneath a central pavilion, surrounded by the legend AYUNTAMIENTO CONSTITUCIONAL DE MÉXICO and the text EXPOSICION MUNICIPAL 1874. The other face is plain: only the words AL MERITO within a laurel wreath tied with a bow. Signed by the engraver S. Navalón G.

Context

In 1874 the Constitutional City Council of the capital organized a municipal exhibition to show the city's products, trades, and advances. These medals were granted as recognition to the standout participants, a common custom at 19th-century Mexican exhibitions.

Value and collecting

It is not legal tender and has no denomination: it is a commemorative award piece. In old medals like this, condition and the metal rule over everything else. With 42.73 g of silver and good relief, interest rises. If you want to buy or sell one, check the store directory and compare in the forum before closing a deal.