Year of Friendship Mexico-Philippines Medal (1964)

This gold medal commemorates the Year of Mexico-Philippines Friendship, in its 1964 version, as part of the tribute to the deep historical ties between the two nations.

Mexico and the Philippines share a common heritage forged during the centuries of the viceroyalty, when the Manila Galleon linked Acapulco with the Pacific islands. That route brought spices, porcelain and silks, and carried Mexican silver to the other side of the ocean, leaving a cultural imprint that endures.

Cataloged by Grove as 864, this is the gold variant of the series dedicated to the friendship between the two countries, sister to the one struck in silver. These diplomatic issues sought to celebrate historical bonds. The Mexican Mint was responsible for these commemorative strikings in precious metal.

The Año de la Amistad México-Filipinas medal is a commemorative gold piece struck in 1964 to recall the four centuries of ties between the two countries. It celebrates the fourth centenary of the expedition of Miguel López de Legazpi, who in 1564 set sail from New Spain toward the Philippine archipelago, the voyage that would open the Manila galleon route to Acapulco.

What it shows

The obverse brings together two coats of arms in one: the national emblem of the Philippines, with its stars and rayed sun, fused with the Mexican eagle devouring the serpent atop the nopal. Around it reads AÑO DE LA AMISTAD and, at the lower part, MÉXICO · FILIPINAS along with the year 1964. The reverse bears a Spanish galleon in full sail over the swell, the legend MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGASPI, and the dates 1564 · 1964 that mark the centenary.

Context

Legazpi's expedition left New Spain in 1564 on the orders of viceroy Luis de Velasco and reached the islands the following year. From it were born the return voyage and the galleon trade that for 250 years crossed the Pacific between Acapulco and Manila. This medal, issued in 1964, honors that shared history on its fourth centenary.

Value and collecting

A medal is not legal tender, so its price depends on the metal, the weight, and above all the condition. Being gold, its quotation closely follows the value of the metal plus a premium for rarity and demand. Before buying or selling, it helps to compare real prices in the stores directory and settle authenticity questions in the forum.