Christmas Medal (2011)

This piece belongs to the Christmas series of the Mexico Mint, a tradition through which the national mint strikes a commemorative medal at the end of each year. The pieces in this series usually combine religious motifs, such as the Nativity, with scenes of the Mexican Christmas image, and are offered as a seasonal gift and collectible object.

This one corresponds to the year 2011 and is worked in silver, the usual metal of the series, valued both for the detail of the engraving and for its fine-metal content.

Beyond the date, these Christmas medals are a small classic among Mexican collectors: they are gathered by year and appreciated for the artistic design that the Mint renews in each edition.

Careful with this piece: although it appears in the catalog under the name "Navidad," the silver medal seen in the images actually commemorates the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution (1910-2010), struck by the Casa de Moneda de México. It is a medal, not legal tender, so it does not circulate and has no face value: its interest is commemorative and for collecting.

What it shows. The obverse has a central core with a revolutionary scene (a figure on horseback and a locomotive puffing smoke in the background), the legend REVOLUCIÓN MEXICANA, the dates 1910-2010, and the motto SUFRAGIO EFECTIVO, NO REELECCIÓN. To the right of the core one can make out the mint mark Mo (Casa de Moneda de México). The reverse shows a hand holding an ear of corn and small figures marching, with the legends TIERRA Y LIBERTAD at the center and CENTENARIO below.

Context. It is part of the issues with which the Mint celebrated the hundred years since the start of the Revolution in 2010. The agrarian reverse and Zapata's motto sum up one of the banners of the movement; the obverse alludes to the armed struggle and to Madero's motto.

Value and collecting. Being silver (38.13 g according to the record), it has a floor from its metal content. The rest comes from the condition and the original case. If you want to buy, sell, or appraise it, check a shop in the shops directory or ask in the forum, where other collectors already have theirs.

To identify it without doubt, ignore the catalog name and look at the engraved legends: "REVOLUCIÓN MEXICANA," "TIERRA Y LIBERTAD," and the dates 1910-2010.