General Ignacio Zaragoza Medal (1862)
Prices updated: August 2026
Silver · Decorations · 1862
Silver · Decorations · 1862
How much is the coin General Ignacio Zaragoza Medal (1862) worth?
The market value of the coin General Ignacio Zaragoza Medal (1862) is not yet documented with enough data to give a firm range. Weigh and measure your piece, compare it against the specifications, and check the forum for a second opinion.
The real price depends on four factors: the grade of preservation (a circulated piece is worth the low end of the range; an uncirculated one, or one still in its official blister pack, the high end), the finish (satin vs mirror/proof), the rarity within the series based on the mintage, and the metal spot price on the day of the deal when the piece is silver or gold. Check the value-by-grade table above and compare with equivalent pieces before buying or selling.
Where to buy or sell this coin?
Browse the national directory of numismatic shops or the community forum to trade directly with other collectors.
Historical context
Silver decoration medal dedicated to General Ignacio Zaragoza, dated 1862, in honor of the architect of the May 5th victory.
Ignacio Zaragoza (1829-1862) commanded the Mexican army that defeated the French troops at Puebla on May 5, 1862. His phrase "las armas nacionales se han cubierto de gloria" was etched into the country's memory. A few months after that triumph, he died of typhus, at the age of 33, becoming a national hero.
This piece pays tribute to his figure precisely in the year of his feat and of his death. It documents how the resistance against the French Intervention forged new national heroes, and how Zaragoza became part of the Mexican civic pantheon for his victory over one of the most feared armies of the age.
Description
The "General Ignacio Zaragoza" medal of 1862 pays tribute to one of Mexico's most beloved heroes, the officer who led the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla. Struck in silver shortly after that feat, it is a piece charged with patriotic symbolism for those who collect the country's history.
It is made of silver, measures 28.25 millimeters in diameter, and weighs 6.63 grams. Being a silver piece, its value has a floor set by the precious metal content, but what really drives it up is the condition, the small size of the issue, and the interest in the figure it commemorates. A medal with no wear and its original case is worth considerably more than a handled one.
How to identify and value this medal
- Confirm the metal. It is silver; weigh it to estimate its fine metal content.
- Read the legend and the motif. It commemorates General Ignacio Zaragoza, which defines its historical interest.
- Check the condition. No scratches or harsh cleanings, with a natural patina.
- Look for the case and the certificate if it 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. For the collector, this medal is cataloged as Grove, Medals of México, III #D-218a.
Value range of this piece
Value range without enough data for this piece.
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