Casa de Moneda de México Medal (2002)

This medal comes from the Mexican Mint, the oldest mint in America, founded in 1535. Throughout its history, the institution has struck numerous commemorative and gift pieces to spread word of its work and celebrate its minting tradition.

Of small module and worked in brass, this 2002 issue belongs to the institutional medals of wide mintage, of the kind the mint produced as a keepsake or token.

Pieces like this, more accessible than those of silver or gold, allowed the Mint to keep its name and history present among visitors, collectors, and those who received these small tokens from the cradle of Mexican coinage.

What it shows

One face displays a winged angel seated on clouds, leaning forward as it writes on a tablet, surrounded by the engraved legend A LA APLICACION PREMIO DE HONOR and an engraver's signature at the bottom. The other face presents an open laurel wreath framing the text LA AUTORIDAD POLÍTICA DE MÉXICO. The relief, the patina, and the allegorical style point to a merit prize medal, not a recent striking.

Context

Honor prize medals for diligence were a common practice in the 19th and early 20th centuries: schools, academies, and civil authorities handed them out to recognize application and good conduct. The figure of the writing angel and the laurel wreath are classic symbols of knowledge and reward. A caveat is in order here: the photographs on this listing do not match the recorded title, so the motif is described only from what is seen engraved.

Value and collecting

A medal is not legal tender, so its price depends on condition, the metal, and demand for the specific piece, not on a face value. In old prizes like this, the wear of the legends and the sharpness of the relief govern. Before buying or selling, it is best to compare equivalent pieces; you can check reference prices at /tiendas and resolve identification questions with other collectors in the /foro.