Monterrey Medal. 400th Anniversary (1996)

This medal commemorates the 400th anniversary of Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo Leon. The city of Nuestra Senora de Monterrey was founded on September 20, 1596 by Diego de Montemayor, after two previous attempts at settlement in the region, and received its name in honor of the viceroy, the count of Monterrey.

Adding four hundred years to 1596 confirms the date of 1996. Monterrey would in time become the great industrial hub of northern Mexico, cradle of the steel industry and of major business groups.

Struck in silver, the piece belongs to the medals of urban theme, of the kind issued to celebrate founding anniversaries of the great Mexican cities.

What it shows

The image associated with this entry does not match the title. The two faces correspond to a 19th-century award medal, not to a piece for the 400th anniversary of Monterrey. One face shows a winged angel seated on clouds, writing on a tablet, surrounded by the legend A LA APLICACION PREMIO DE HONOR and signed PILLET F. The other face bears a laurel wreath framing the text LA AUTORIDAD POLÍTICA DE MÉXICO. Nowhere does Monterrey, the 400th anniversary, or the date 1996 appear.

Context

By its iconography, its award-for-application legend, and the engraver's signature, this piece is an academic or civic award medal of the 19th century. We have not been able to verify public data linking it to the founding of Monterrey, so here we make no claim about its motif or year of minting while the image and the record do not agree.

Value and collecting

A medal is never legal tender: its value depends on the metal, the state of preservation, and demand among collectors, not on a face value. Before appraising any piece it is worth confirming which medal it actually is. If you want to buy, sell, or ask for a second opinion, check the directory of stores or start a thread in the community forum.