Mixcoac Medal. Kermesse (1903)

The kermesses were popular and charitable festivals, of European origin, very much in fashion in the Mexico of the Porfiriato. They combined games, music, food stalls and raffles to raise funds for charitable purposes, and brought society together in a festive atmosphere.

This small 1903 medal commemorates a kermesse in Mixcoac, then a town near Mexico City and a place of residence for well-to-do families. These events mixed the social life of the elites with the duty of charity.

Engraved by C. Ocampo G., the piece documents the festive customs of the era. It is a testimony of Porfirian sociability, where amusement and benevolence went hand in hand at festivals that left their memory in small commemorative medals.

The "Mixcoac. Kermesse" medal is a small testimony to the social life of Porfirian Mexico, struck in 1903 to commemorate a kermesse held in Mixcoac. The work of engraver C. Ocampo G., it condenses into just 22.11 millimeters an era's taste for commemorating its festivities and community gatherings.

It is made of white metal, measures 22.11 millimeters in diameter and weighs 4.19 grams. Like any commemorative medal, its value comes not from the metal but from what it celebrates: the event it recalls, its age within the 1821-1910 era, and demand among collectors interested in this theme. Condition and the rarity of the issue are what set the price.

To value it, it helps to confirm that it is white metal, read the legend and the motif that define its historical interest, and check the condition, looking for pieces free of scratches or harsh cleaning and with a natural patina. The case and certificate, if it came with them, add collector value. In the specialized catalog, this medal is referenced as Grove, Medals of México, II #363b. Explore more pieces in the Mexican numismatics catalog and learn to read the marks in the how to identify Mexican mints guide.