La ciudad de México Medal (1724)

This medal belongs to the briefest reign of the Bourbon dynasty: that of Luis I, son of Felipe V, who occupied the Spanish throne for barely a few months in 1724 before dying of smallpox. News of his proclamation reached New Spain and, as custom dictated, Mexico City rendered him an oath of loyalty in a solemn ceremony held in 1724, with the viceroy heading the event in the Cathedral.

To commemorate that oath of allegiance (jura), pieces like this one were struck, of the type we know today as proclamation medals. The reverse usually shows the coat of arms of Mexico City (the castle over waves flanked by lions) and the legend that named it head and empress of the Indies.

Beyond their historical value, these medals were a political act: the New Spain elite demonstrated its loyalty to the Crown by distributing them among notables during the festivities. Because of the fleeting reign of Luis I, the 1724 pieces are especially scarce within viceregal medallic art.

The "La ciudad de México" medal, struck in 1724, is a silver piece loaded with colonial history, a testament to the interest in commemorating the New Spain capital three centuries ago now. At 37 millimeters in diameter and 17.38 grams in weight, it brings together the value of the precious metal with the appeal of a theme deeply tied to Mexico's identity.

Being a silver medal, its value has a floor defined by the fine metal content: 17.38 grams. Above that, what drives it up is the condition, the small size of the issue, and the interest in the theme it commemorates. A piece with no wear and its original case is worth considerably more than a handled one.

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 "La ciudad de México," and that defines its historical interest.
3. Check the condition. No scratches or harsh cleanings, with a 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 medal appears referenced in the catalog as Grove, Medals of México, I #LI-1.