Miguel de la Madrid / Apatzingan Medal (1981)

The piece bears the name of Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado, who governed Mexico from 1982 to 1988, and the reference to Apatzingán, a city in Michoacán with enormous symbolic weight in national history. There, in 1814, the first constitution of insurgent Mexico was promulgated, the so-called Decreto Constitucional para la Libertad de la América Mexicana, foundation of national constitutionalism.

Medals like this, tied to political figures and regional commemorations, were usually commissioned to the Mexico City Mint to commemorate tours, official acts, or civic anniversaries.

The engraving is by Lorenzo Rafael, one of the most prolific designers of late-20th-century Mexican medallic art, whose signature appears on numerous commemorative pieces of the period.

The "Miguel de la Madrid / Apatzingan" medal was struck in 1981. It is made of silver, measures 50 mm in diameter and weighs 57.17 grams, the work of engraver Lorenzo Rafael.

Being a silver medal, its value has a floor: the precious-metal content (57.17 grams). Above that, what drives it up is condition, the small size of the issue, and interest in the theme it commemorates (Miguel de la Madrid / Apatzingan). 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 "Miguel de la Madrid / Apatzingan," 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.