Puebla Medal. Penitentiary (1891)
Prices updated: August 2026
Silver · 1891
Silver · 1891
How much is the coin Puebla Medal. Penitentiary (1891) worth?
The market value of the coin Puebla Medal. Penitentiary (1891) is not yet documented with enough data to give a firm range. Weigh and measure your piece, compare it against the specifications, and check the forum for a second opinion.
The real price depends on four factors: the grade of preservation (a circulated piece is worth the low end of the range; an uncirculated one, or one still in its official blister pack, the high end), the finish (satin vs mirror/proof), the rarity within the series based on the mintage, and the metal spot price on the day of the deal when the piece is silver or gold. Check the value-by-grade table above and compare with equivalent pieces before buying or selling.
Where to buy or sell this coin?
Browse the national directory of numismatic shops or the community forum to trade directly with other collectors.
Historical context
The construction of modern penitentiaries was one of the emblematic works of the Porfiriato, which sought to reform the prison system according to the era's ideas about punishment, discipline, and the rehabilitation of the offender. These buildings were presented as a sign of progress and order.
This 1891 silver medal commemorates the Puebla Penitentiary, part of that modernizing push. Inaugurating prisons with functional architecture and scientific supervision was a source of pride for the Porfirian authorities.
The piece documents how even institutions of punishment were celebrated with commemorative medals. It is a testament to the reformist zeal of Porfirio Diaz's regime, which applied to prisons, hospitals, and schools the same logic of modernization as to public works.
Description
The "Puebla. Penitenciaría" medal of 1891 commemorates the construction of the Puebla penitentiary, an emblematic project of Porfirian modernization in Puebla. Struck in silver, it is a piece that combines historical interest and collectible value for the specificity of the subject it celebrates.
It measures 24.26 millimeters in diameter and weighs 7.29 grams. Being silver, its value starts from a floor: the precious-metal content. Above that, what drives it up is condition, the small size of the issue, and interest in the motif it commemorates. A piece with no wear and its original case is worth considerably more than one that has been handled.
How to identify and value this medal
- Confirm the metal. It is silver; weigh it to estimate its fine-metal content.
- Read the legend and the motif. It commemorates "Puebla. Penitenciaría," and that defines its historical interest.
- Check the condition. No scratches or harsh cleaning, with a natural patina.
- Look for the case and certificate if it once 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. For the collector, this medal is cataloged as Grove, Medals of México, II #266a.
Value range of this piece
Value range without enough data for this piece.
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