Guadalajara Medal. 450th Anniversary (1992)

This medal commemorates the 450th anniversary of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco. After several earlier locations, the city was definitively established in the Atemajac valley on February 14, 1542, when its first town council met under Miguel de Ibarra.

Adding four hundred and fifty years to 1542 confirms the date of 1992. Guadalajara is one of the country's most important historic cities, the heart of western Mexico and cradle of traditions such as mariachi and charreria.

Struck in brass and of small module, the piece belongs to the medals of urban theme, the kind issued to celebrate founding anniversaries of Mexico's great cities.

What it shows

The obverse bears a stylized outline of the river and valley of Atemajac, with pre-Hispanic glyphs in the shape of a flower and the number 450 above the legend GUADALAJARA 1542-1992. The reverse centers on a large M monogram surrounded by letters (M, m, O) and the circular legend PRIMERA CASA DE MONEDA DE AMÉRICA, a nod to the Casa de Moneda de México, which struck this piece. It is a small brass medal, closer in size to a pocket coin than to the large exhibition medals.

Context

The medal commemorates the 450 years since the founding of Guadalajara. The capital of Jalisco was established at its definitive site, the valley of Atemajac, in 1542, so 1992 marked its 450th anniversary. The engraved dates (1542-1992) confirm the theme.

Value and collecting

A commemorative medal is not legal tender: it has no face value and is not used as money. Its price is set by condition and demand among collectors of Guadalajara pieces and of the Mexican Mint; the brass, on its own, adds little metallic value. If you are looking to buy or sell it, check the shop directory and compare with someone who knows the subject in the forum.