El Colegio Imperial de San Ildefonso Medal (1822)

Gilt bronze medal of the Imperial College of San Ildefonso, struck in 1822 within the series of proclamation and oath of the Empire of Agustín I.

The College of San Ildefonso, in the heart of Mexico City, was one of the most prestigious educational institutions inherited from the viceregal era. When the empire was proclaimed, it adopted the title "Imperial" and commissioned its own medal to join the oath of loyalty to the new sovereign.

That a college would strike a piece of its own shows how far corporations (guilds, consulados, institutions) went to leave a record of their allegiance. San Ildefonso would remain, throughout the 19th century, a key center of Mexican intellectual life.

The El Colegio Imperial de San Ildefonso medal is a commemorative piece from 1822, one of those testimonies that link the education of New Spain with the first months of independent Mexico. Struck in gilt bronze, it celebrates one of the country's most emblematic educational institutions and draws the interest of collectors of historical themes.

In a gilt-bronze medal the value comes not from the metal but from the commemorative side: the event it celebrates, its age (1821-1910 era), and demand among those who collect this theme. Condition and the rarity of the issue are what define the price. It measures 34 millimeters in diameter and weighs 13.65 grams, with the legend and motif that dedicate it to El Colegio Imperial de San Ildefonso as the seal of its historical interest.

To value it, it helps to confirm that it is gilt bronze, review the condition looking for a surface with no scratches or harsh cleanings and with natural patina, and check whether it retains its case or certificate, details that add collection value. For the collector, its catalog reference is Grove, Medals of México, II #19bp. Explore more pieces in the Mexican numismatics catalog and learn to read the marks in the guide on how to identify Mexican mints.