Queretaro Medal. 4 Reales (1808)

This 1808 medal, of the four-reales module, commemorates the proclamation of Fernando VII in Querétaro. The year was one of profound crisis: after the Aranjuez uprising and the Bayonne abdications imposed by Napoleon, New Spain swore fidelity to Fernando VII in his absence, rejecting the usurper José Bonaparte.

Its size, imitating the module of the four-reales coin, indicates that it belongs to the pieces distributed more widely during the oath-of-allegiance festivities, not only among the highest authorities.

Querétaro, a key city of the Bajío, would be just two years later the cradle of the conspiracy that ignited the war of Independence. These proclamation medals of 1808 capture the irony of the moment: the city swore loyalty to its captive king just before becoming the focus of the rebellion that, born of that same crisis of the Crown, would end up breaking with Spain.

The "Querétaro. 4 reales" proclamation medal, struck in 1808, is a silver testament to the oath-taking ceremonies that New Spanish cities held at the start of the 19th century. At 34 millimeters in diameter and 13.36 grams, it is a piece that combines historical weight and precious-metal content, much prized by those who collect early Mexican medal art.

Being made of silver, its value starts from a clear floor: the 13.36 grams of fine metal. Above that, what drives it higher is condition, how short the issue was, and interest in the subject it commemorates. A piece with no wear, a natural patina, and its original case is worth considerably more than one that has been mishandled or aggressively cleaned.

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 "Querétaro. 4 reales," which defines its historical interest.
3. Check the condition. No scratches or harsh cleaning, with a natural patina.
4. Look for the case and certificate if it 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, I #F-136.