Ciudad de México Medal. El Comercio (1809)

This silver medal of 1809, engraved by Tomás Suria, commemorates the proclamation of Ferdinand VII promoted by the Merchants' Guild (Consulado de Comercio) of Mexico City, the powerful guild of the great merchants of the viceroyalty. Although the king was proclaimed in 1808, some corporate oaths extended into 1809.

Tomás Suria was a notable artist: besides being an engraver, he had taken part as a draftsman in the famous Malaspina expedition that explored the American Pacific coasts at the end of the 18th century. His signature lends the piece added artistic value.

The Consulado brought together the merchants who moved silver, cochineal, and goods among Mexico, Spain, and the Philippines. Its proclamation medal was at once an act of loyalty to the captive king and a display of its economic prestige. With a good format and considerable weight, this piece reflects the wealth of New Spain commerce at the moment when the imperial crisis was opening the way to Independence.

The Ciudad de México. El Comercio medal, struck in 1809, is a silver piece that celebrates the role of commerce in the New Spanish capital. Engraved by Tomás Suria, one of the most notable artists of the Royal Mint of that era, it combines the appeal of the precious metal with a historical theme that still stirs collector interest.

It is made of silver, measures 47 millimeters in diameter, and weighs 67.9 grams. Because it is a silver medal, its value starts from a clear floor: the fine-metal content. Above that, what drives it up is condition, how short the issue was, and interest in the subject it commemorates. A piece with no wear and its original case is worth considerably more than a mishandled one.

To value it, it is best to confirm the metal by weighing it, read the legend and the motif that define its historical interest, check that it has no scratches or harsh cleaning and retains its natural patina, and look for the case and the certificate if it had them, since 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. In the specialized catalog, this medal is referenced as Grove, Medals of México, I #F-24a.