La Ciudad de Mexico Medal. Cast (1747)

Cast in gilt silver in 1747, this medal commemorates the proclamation of Fernando VI by Mexico City, the capital of the viceroyalty. With the death of Felipe V in 1746, the capital of New Spain organized an oath of allegiance ceremony in which the viceroy and the city council solemnly recognized the new sovereign.

The proclamation medals of Mexico City bore the city's coat of arms on the reverse, and some from this reign incorporated the eagle on the nopal, a symbol that decades later independent Mexico would inherit. Distributed among notables during the festivities, they served as testimony of loyalty and public rejoicing.

The gilding over the silver raised the rank of the piece: it was reserved for examples destined for the highest authorities. It is a detail that distinguishes the ceremonial medals of the capital from the more modest issues of the interior towns.

The "La ciudad de México. Fundida" medal is a colonial piece from 1747 struck in gilt silver, a testament to New Spanish metalwork that today draws great interest among collectors for its age and for the subject it commemorates. At 32 millimeters in diameter and 16.59 grams, it combines the appeal of precious metal with a historical value hard to match.

Being gilt silver, its value has a floor set by its fine-metal content: those 16.59 grams. Above that, what drives it higher is condition, how short the issue was, and interest in the motif it represents. A piece with no wear and its original case is worth considerably more than a mishandled one.

How to identify and value this medal

1. Confirm the metal. It is gilt silver; weigh it to estimate its fine-metal content.
2. Read the legend and the motif. It commemorates "La ciudad de México. Fundida," which defines its historical interest.
3. Check the condition. No scratches or harsh cleaning, with a natural patina.
4. Look for the case and 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, I #F6-1.