Logia Benito Juárez Medal (1878)

Silver medal of the Benito Juárez Lodge, dated 1878 and engraved by Peña, among the Masonic pieces.

That a lodge would adopt the name of Benito Juárez reveals the close bond between Freemasonry and Mexican liberalism. Juárez and many leaders of the Reform belonged to Freemasonry, and his figure became an emblem of the liberal values the lodges defended: legality, secularism, and sovereignty.

This piece served as an emblem and identification of the lodge's members. It documents the weight of Freemasonry in the political life of 19th-century Mexico and the civic cult of Juárez, who had died a few years earlier. It reflects how the lodges, networks of sociability of the liberal elite, honored their great historical references.

The Logia Benito Juárez medal, struck in silver in 1878, is a Mexican Masonic piece that pays tribute to one of the most important figures in the country's history. At 36.68 millimeters in diameter and 21.5 grams in weight, it is the work of the engraver Peña and draws the interest of those who collect historical medals and Juárez-themed pieces.

Being a silver medal, its value has a clear floor: the precious-metal content of its 21.5 grams. Above that, what drives it up is condition, how short the issue was, and 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 motif. It commemorates the Logia Benito Juárez, which defines its historical interest.
3. Check the condition. No scratches or harsh cleanings, with natural patina.
4. Look for the case and certificate if it had them: they add collection 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 #M-9a.