Junta de los Notables Medal (1863)

Small bronze medal of the Junta de los Notables, dated 1863, within the category of Second Empire figures pieces.

In July 1863, following the French occupation of the capital, a Junta of Notables made up of conservatives proclaimed the reestablishment of the monarchy and offered the crown of Mexico to Maximilian of Habsburg. It was the decisive step toward the Mexican Second Empire.

This piece, of reduced module, documents that founding moment of the monarchical project backed by Napoleon III. It reflects the stance of the conservative side, which saw in a European monarchy the way out of the country's civil wars. The imperial experiment, however, would collapse in 1867 with the triumph of the Republic led by Juárez.

The "Junta de los notables" medal is a small bronze witness to one of the most turbulent moments of nineteenth-century Mexico, when in 1863 the assembly met that would set the country's political course. Its small size, just 20.88 millimeters in diameter and 3.41 grams, makes it a piece as discreet as it is sought after among enthusiasts of national history.

Like any bronze medal, its value comes not from the metal but from what it commemorates: the event it celebrates, its age within the 1821-1910 period, and demand among collectors of the theme. Condition and the rarity of the issue are what truly determine its price. To evaluate it, confirm the metal, read its legend and motif closely, check that the surface has no scratches or harsh cleaning and keeps its natural patina, and verify whether it still has its case or certificate, since both add collector value.

You can 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, II #110b.