UNAM Chemistry Faculty Medal (1991): 75th Anniversary Value

This medal celebrates the 75th anniversary of the UNAM Faculty of Chemistry. The teaching of chemistry at the National University has roots in the Escuela Nacional de Industrias Quimicas, founded in the mid-1910s, which over time would be integrated into the country's foremost seat of learning.

The faculty has trained generations of chemists and engineers, with a prominent role in national science and industry.

Struck in brass and of small module, this 1991 issue belongs to the university commemorative medals, of the kind educational institutions commissioned to celebrate their anniversaries and distribute among academics and graduates.

If you found a small brass medal marked FACULTAD DE QUÍMICA and UNAM with a big number 75 on it, here is the honest answer: it is a commemorative medal, not a coin, and it is not made of precious metal. Pieces like this trade in the low single-digit to modest range in US dollars, driven by condition and interest in the university theme, not by melt value.

This is the 1991 medal celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Facultad de Química (Faculty of Chemistry) at UNAM, Mexico's national university. It was struck at the Casa de Moneda de México, the Mexican mint. It has no face value and was never legal tender, so do not expect a windfall. Below is exactly what you have, what drives its value, and how to check it before you sell.

What it is and what it's worth

The medal is brass. It weighs 2.96 grams and measures 20.01 millimeters across, roughly the size of a small low-denomination coin. Because there is no silver or gold in it, there is no bullion floor to set a minimum price. What matters is condition and how much a collector of UNAM or Mexican mint material wants it.

Institutional commemorative medals like this one sit in a modest and variable price band. In 2026, realistic expectations run from a few US dollars for a worn example to a somewhat higher figure for a crisp, well-centered piece that appeals to a university-theme collector. This is not a rare-date coin worth thousands. Anyone telling you a common commemorative brass medal is worth a fortune is guessing or selling.

What the medal shows

Front (obverse): the legend FACULTAD DE QUÍMICA across the top and UNAM below, a stylized classical pediment, a large 75, and the word ANIVERSARIO in the center. The dates 1916 and 1991 flank the design, marking the 75 years being celebrated. The Faculty of Chemistry traces its origin to 1916, which is why 1991 was its 75th anniversary.

Back (reverse): a large M monogram surrounded by dozens of tiny mint marks, with the legend PRIMERA CASA DE MONEDA DE AMÉRICA ("First Mint of the Americas") running along the edge. This honors the Casa de Moneda de México, the oldest mint on the continent.

Quick reference

Detail	Specification
Type	Commemorative medal (not legal tender)
Year	1991
Metal	Brass
Weight	2.96 g
Diameter	20.01 mm
Struck by	Casa de Moneda de México
Theme	75th anniversary, UNAM Faculty of Chemistry

Is it rare or valuable?

No. Commemorative medals produced for an institutional anniversary are made to be handed out, not hoarded, and brass carries no precious-metal premium. The value that exists comes entirely from a collector who wants the specific theme, usually a UNAM alum or someone who collects Mexican mint pieces. That keeps prices modest and inconsistent from sale to sale.

The realistic driver is grade. A medal that has been in a drawer with scratches, spots, or wear is worth the low end. One that is sharp, lustrous, and well-centered can pull a small premium. That's the whole story on value here.

How to check if yours is genuine

Start with the physical specs. The weight should be near 2.96 g and the diameter near 20.01 mm. A piece that is noticeably heavier, lighter, or a different size is a red flag. Then read the details: FACULTAD DE QUÍMICA, UNAM, and PRIMERA CASA DE MONEDA DE AMÉRICA should be sharp and correctly spelled, and the design well-centered. The M monogram and the small mint marks on the reverse should be crisply defined, not mushy or doubled.

Given the low value, sophisticated fakes are unlikely, but casting flaws or damage still matter for price. If you're unsure, take clear, well-lit photos of both sides and get a second opinion before you list it.

Where to sell or appraise it

Because the value is modest, you probably won't want to pay for formal third-party grading, it would cost more than the medal. Your best moves: check the store directory to contact dealers and appraisers, browse recent sold listings for the same medal to anchor a realistic price, and post photos of both sides in the forum so other collectors can weigh in before you set a number. If you have other UNAM or mint pieces, our guide to Mexican commemorative medals can help you sort the common from the collectible.

Have one sitting in a jewelry box? Post the front and back in the forum and we'll help you figure out what it's actually worth.