Colonia del Carmen Medal (1890)

The colonias were new urban subdivisions that arose with the growth of Mexican cities during the Porfiriato. The expansion of Mexico City and other urban centers generated modern neighborhoods that were commemorated when founded or urbanized.

This 1890 silver medal is connected to the Colonia del Carmen, one of those urban developments characteristic of the era. The modernization of cities, with laid-out streets, lighting, and services, was a source of pride for Porfirio Diaz's regime.

The piece belongs to the local medallic art that documented the growth of cities. It is a record of how Porfirian urbanization transformed the face of Mexico and left its memory even on small pieces of metal.

The Colonia del Carmen medal of 1890 is a commemorative silver piece recalling one of the urban developments of its time, prized today for both its historical value and its short issue. Struck in silver, it measures 27.92 millimeters in diameter and weighs 12.84 grams, making it a compact and highly collectible piece.

Being silver, its value has a clear floor: the precious-metal content of its 12.84 grams. 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 quite a bit more than a mishandled one. To identify and value it, it helps to confirm the metal by weighing it, read the legend and motif that define it carefully, check that it has no scratches or harsh cleaning and retains its natural patina, and look for the original case or certificate if it ever 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. For the collector, this medal is cataloged as Grove, Medals of México, II #262a.