Lagos de Moreno Medal (1963)

This gold medal, dated 1963, relates to Lagos de Moreno, the historic city of the Altos de Jalisco known for its beautiful colonial center, today a World Heritage Site, and for its cultural and ranching tradition.

Lagos de Moreno was a key point of the Bajio and the silver route in viceregal times, and a cradle of intellectuals and artists. Its quarry-stone architecture and Baroque churches made it one of the most stately cities of the country's center-west.

Cataloged by Grove as 836, the piece belongs to the commemorative city medals, probably tied to some anniversary of the town. Striking it in gold underscored the importance of the tribute. These issues were commissioned to medal workshops or to the Mexican Mint, which left in metal the memory of Mexican cities.

The 1963 Lagos Moreno medal is a commemorative piece struck in gold in Mexico, paying tribute to this historic city of the country. Its generous precious-metal content and its evocative theme make it an object highly prized by collectors of Mexican medallic art.

Being made of gold, its value starts from a clear floor: the fine-metal content of its 41.13 grams, with a diameter of 38.08 millimeters. Above that threshold, what makes it rise is condition, how short the issue was, and interest in the subject 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 gold; weigh it to estimate its fine-metal content.
2. Read the legend and the motif. It commemorates Lagos Moreno, which defines its historical interest.
3. Check the condition. No scratches or aggressive cleaning, with natural patina.
4. Look for the case and certificate if it had them: they add collector value.

For the collector, this medal is cataloged as Grove, Medals of México II #836. Explore more pieces in the Mexican numismatics catalog and learn to read the marks in the guide on how to identify Mexican mints.