5 Centuries of the Discovery of America Medal (1992)

This medal commemorates the five centuries of the discovery of America, the 1992 milestone that recalled Columbus's arrival on the continent in 1492. It was one of the year's most far-reaching historical commemorations, celebrated throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

In Mexico, the date was framed under the idea of the encounter of two worlds, seeking an approach that acknowledged both the European heritage and the country's indigenous roots and the resulting mestizaje.

Struck in silver and of good module, the piece belongs to the abundant medallic output of the fifth centennial, issues conceived as collectible objects that would leave a record of an anniversary of enormous symbolic weight.

What it shows

The images tied to this listing do not match the title. Instead of a piece for the 500th anniversary of the Discovery of America, what is shown is a school award medal. The obverse presents a winged child angel, seated on clouds and holding a tablet in its hands, bordered by the legend A LA APLICACION PREMIO DE HONOR and the engraver's signature at the base. The reverse shows an open laurel wreath framing the text on four lines LA AUTORIDAD POLÍTICA DE MÉXICO, closed at the bottom with a bow. The appearance is bronze or copper with an old patina.

Context

This is a merit medal, of the kind that Mexican authorities and schools in the 19th century awarded to outstanding students for their diligence. Nothing on the faces refers to the discovery of America or to the year 1992, so the image is crossed with another catalog record. For that reason we do not describe here the piece announced in the title: to do so would be to invent.

Value and collecting

A medal is not legal tender and its value does not depend on a fixed table, but on condition, the metal, and demand for the theme. In patinated bronze like that in the photo, the state of the relief and the fields rules over everything else. Before buying or selling it is worth comparing real pieces: check the store directory and ask in the forum, where other collectors help read a piece.