Guadalajara Medal. La Real Audiencia (1760)

Minted in 1760, this medal is part of the oaths of allegiance to Carlos III, the enlightened king who took the Spanish throne in 1759 after the death of his brother Fernando VI. The news traveled across New Spain and set off proclamation ceremonies throughout the territory during 1760 and 1761.

This piece was issued by the Royal Audiencia of Guadalajara, the high court that governed Nueva Galicia, an extensive region of western New Spain. That an audiencia (an institution of justice and government) struck its own medal shows how each body of the colonial state separately rendered its testimony of loyalty to the monarch.

It bears the signature of the engraver F. Casanova, a notable detail: the reign of Carlos III marked the moment when artisans began to sign their medals, leaving behind the anonymity that dominated earlier viceregal medal-making.

The "Guadalajara. La Real Audiencia" medal is a colonial silver piece struck in 1760, commemorating one of the most important government institutions of New Spain. Its engraving was carried out by F. Casanova F., and with its 40 millimeters in diameter and 24.98 grams of silver it is a historical gem much prized by those who collect the Mexican viceregal period.

As a silver medal, its value has a clear floor: the precious-metal content of 24.98 grams. Above that, what drives it up is condition, how short the issue was and interest in the theme it commemorates. A piece without wear, with natural patina and its original case is worth considerably more than one that has been tampered with or aggressively cleaned.

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 "Guadalajara. La Real Audiencia," which defines its historical interest.
3. Check the condition. No scratches or aggressive cleaning, with natural patina.
4. 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 piece is cataloged as Grove, Medals of México, I #K-24.