The Ford Family Medal. Jubilee (1953)

This bronze medal, from the commercial chapter, commemorates the jubilee of the Ford family, most likely tied to the fiftieth anniversary of the Ford Motor Company, founded by Henry Ford in 1903.

The automobile brand had an early presence in Mexico, and commercial medals of this kind served as keepsakes or promotional pieces for corporate anniversaries. They reflect the growing influence of large U.S. companies in the industrializing Mexico of the 1950s.

Cataloged by Grove as B-139b, the piece belongs to the commercial medals, a category that documents the business life of the era through its anniversaries and commemorations. These strikes were usually commissioned from medallic workshops that handled private orders from domestic and foreign companies.

The "La Familia Ford. Jubileo" medal is a commemorative piece from 1953 that celebrates a jubilee tied to the Ford name, a subject that draws collector interest for its historical weight and its bronze striking. At just 28.57 millimeters in diameter and 8.21 grams, it is a pocket-sized medal whose value lies not in the metal but in what it represents.

Since it is a bronze piece, its price is set by the event it commemorates, its age, and demand among enthusiasts of the subject. Condition and the rarity of the issue are the factors that weigh most when valuing it.

How to identify and value this medal

1. Confirm the metal. It is bronze; its value depends on the subject and the condition.
2. Read the legend and the motif. It commemorates "La Familia Ford. Jubileo", 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 ever 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, II #B-139b.