Government of the State of Colima Medal 2004-2009 (2004)

This medal of the Government of the State of Colima corresponds to the 2004-2009 term, that is, to the start of a new state administration in that western Mexican entity. Pieces like this were usually issued at the beginning of a term as an institutional badge and protocol gift.

Colima has kept the custom of accompanying its changes of government and official acts with commemorative medals of institutional mintage.

Struck in silver, of good module and weight, this version is more lavish than its brass counterparts, and was intended as a higher-rank gift among authorities, officials and distinguished guests, as a testimony to the start of a state administration.

Commemorative medal from the Numismatic Collection of the Bank of Mexico, struck in 2004 in pure silver. It is a collector's piece, not legal tender, so it does not circulate and has no face value.

What it shows. Note an important detail: the images on this listing do not correspond to a state-government motif, but to two religious and monumental faces. One face presents the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City with the legend PRIMERA CATEDRAL EN AMÉRICA and the marks Mo 1573 Mo (the Mexico City mint and the year). The other face shows a scene of the Nativity with the word Navidad engraved above and, at the base, the legend 1 ONZA PLATA PURA .999. Both faces carry the official frame of the Numismatic Collection of the Bank of Mexico.

Value and collecting. Being pure silver, its value has a floor in the fine-metal content. From there up, condition and interest in the theme rule. An uncirculated piece with its original case is worth more than a handled one. If you want to buy or sell it, check a numismatic store from the Pesoteca directory or ask in the forum, where collectors compare real prices.

How to identify it. Confirm the weight and diameter against the listing, and read the legends on each face carefully before closing a deal.