Battle of Chapultepec Medal. 100th Anniversary (1947)

In 1947 the centennial of the Battle of Chapultepec was commemorated, a hundred years since the 1847 combat in which US troops took the castle during the war between Mexico and the United States. It was the episode in which the cadets known as the Ninos Heroes died.

This bronze medal honors that feat, one of the most cherished symbols of Mexican patriotism. The defense of Chapultepec Castle, then the seat of the Military College, was etched into the national memory as an example of courage and sacrifice.

The piece is a testament to the cult of the Ninos Heroes and to the resistance against foreign invasion. It documents how, a century later, Mexico still honored that painful page of its history, transformed into a source of pride and national identity.

The "Batalla de Chapultepec. 100 Aniversario" medal was struck in 1947. It is made of bronze, measures 33.93 mm in diameter, and weighs 14.9 grams, minted in Mexico. In the specialized catalog it appears referenced as Grove, Medals of México, II #553b.

As a bronze medal, its value comes not from the metal but from its commemorative nature: the event it celebrates, its age (the 1910-to-present era), and demand among collectors of the subject. Condition and the rarity of the issue are what set the price.

How to identify and value this medal

1. Confirm the metal. It is bronze; its value depends on the subject and the condition.
2. Read the legend and the motif. It commemorates "Batalla de Chapultepec. 100 Aniversario," which defines its historical interest.
3. Check the condition. No scratches or harsh cleaning, with natural patina.
4. Look for the case and the certificate if it had them: they add collector value.

Explore more pieces in the Mexican numismatics catalog and learn to read the marks in the guide on how to identify Mexican mints.