Founding of Cancún Medal (1978)

This silver medal commemorates the founding of Cancun in 1978. The tourist destination of the Mexican Caribbean was a project planned by the state, which in the early 1970s transformed a strip of jungle and beach in Quintana Roo into the great tourism hub we know today.

Cancun was born of an ambitious development plan driven by the Bank of Mexico and the federal government, which chose the site for its white-sand beaches and turquoise sea. Within a few years it became the engine of the country's international tourism and a symbol of the modern Mexico of sun and beach.

The silver piece recorded the founding of this young city, strategic for the national economy. Medals commemorating the founding of cities document the country's geography. The minting of this commemorative issue was carried out by the Mexico City Mint or by medal workshops of the era.

The "Fundación de Cancún" (Founding of Cancún) medal was struck in 1978. It is made of silver, measures 40.2 mm in diameter, and weighs 30.13 grams.

Being a silver medal, its value has a floor: the precious-metal content (30.13 grams). Above that, what drives it up is condition, the small size of the issue, and interest in the subject it commemorates (the founding of Cancún). A piece with no wear and its original case is worth considerably more than one that has been handled.

How to identify and value this medal

1. Confirm the metal. It is silver; weigh it to estimate its fine-metal content.
2. Read the legend and the motif. It commemorates the "Founding of Cancún," which defines its historical interest.
3. Check the condition. No scratches or harsh cleaning, with a natural patina.
4. Look for the case and certificate if it once had them: 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.