Veracruz Medal (1789)

Engraved by Gerónimo Antonio Gil in 1789, this medal celebrates the proclamation of Charles IV at the port of Veracruz, the great maritime gateway of New Spain. After the death of Charles III at the end of 1788, the whole viceroyalty organized oath ceremonies to the new king throughout 1789.

That the chief engraver of the Mint personally signed the Veracruz medal speaks to the standing of the commission. Gil, founder of the Academia de San Carlos, was the viceroyalty's foremost artisan, and his involvement raised the piece to the category of a work of art.

Veracruz was the point through which the empire's silver, goods, and news came and went; it was precisely from there that word of the king's death and his successor's accession arrived. Its proclamation medal therefore carried a special symbolic value: it was the first New Spain soil that royal news touched upon crossing the Atlantic.

The Veracruz medal of 1789 is a silver piece struck in New Spain to commemorate the city of Veracruz, the work of the renowned engraver Gerónimo Antonio Gil. Its age, its fine craftsmanship, and the theme it celebrates make it an object greatly prized by those who collect medals of the Mexican viceregal period.

It is struck in silver, measures 39.87 millimeters in diameter and weighs 27.05 grams. Being silver, its value has a floor set by its precious-metal content; above that, what drives it up is preservation, the short size of the issue, and interest in the theme it commemorates. A piece with no wear and with its original case is worth considerably more than a handled one.

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 Veracruz, which defines its historical interest.
3. Check the preservation. No scratches or aggressive cleaning, with natural patina.
4. Look for the case and the 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 #C-252.