Banca Serfin Medal. 125th Anniversary (1989)

This medal commemorates the 125th anniversary of Banca Serfín, whose history goes back to 1864, when the Banco de Londres y México was founded, considered the oldest in the country. That bank began operations during the ephemeral empire of Maximilian and became a pillar of the national financial system.

Adding one hundred and twenty-five years to 1864 confirms the date of 1989. Serfín, a name that abbreviates servicios financieros integrados, had been born in 1977 from the reorganization of that old bank.

Struck in silver, the piece belongs to the anniversary commercial medals, with which the bank celebrated a trajectory whose roots sank into the 19th century.

What it shows

The reverse, the main side, carries the logo of Banca Serfin: the stylized bird formed from the letter S and a central monogram, beneath the legend SERFIN. All framed by a ring of dots and engraved motifs. The obverse presents a Porfirian-style bank building seen from the corner, with the legend 125 ANIVERSARIO arched above and the dates 1864-1989 at the foot. On the sides you can read the marks 1 ONZA and LEY .999, along with the Mo mint mark of the Mexican Mint.

Context

Banca Serfin traces its origin to 1864, when the Banco de Londres, México y Sudamérica was born, the banking house with the oldest lineage in the country. In 1989 the institution marked its 125 years, and this silver piece is part of the Numismatic Collection of the Bank of Mexico struck for the occasion.

Value and collecting

The medal is not legal tender, so it has no face value: what matters is its silver content (1 oz, .999 fineness) and the state of preservation. The mirror fields of the proof finish and crisp legends raise its appeal among collectors. To compare real buying and selling prices check the shops directory, and if you want to refine the identification of your example ask in the forum.