Christmas Medal. Catedral Metropolitana (2004)

This medal is part of a Christmas series dedicated to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, the largest and most emblematic temple in Latin America. Its construction stretched over more than two centuries, and its Baroque facade and towers are among the symbols of the capital's Historic Center.

Christmas issues like this one, corresponding to the year 2004, revisited religious and architectural motifs of deep popular roots, conceived as a seasonal gift.

Struck in silver, of large size and considerable weight, the piece falls among the commemorative medals with a December theme, of the kind that institutions and companies commissioned to give to clients and employees at year's end.

The Navidad. Catedral Metropolitana medal is a commemorative piece struck in 2004 within the Banco de México Numismatic Collection. It is a pure .999 silver ounce, dedicated to the Christmas season and to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City.

What it shows. One face bears the Metropolitan Cathedral in relief, with its two towers and the full facade, surrounded by the legend "PRIMERA CATEDRAL EN AMÉRICA" and the date 1573 at the foot, flanked by mint marks. The other face presents a Nativity scene: the Holy Family surrounded by figures and a starry sky, with the word "Navidad" engraved above and the inscription "1 ONZA PLATA PURA .999" at the bottom.

Context. The year 1573 marks the start of construction of the present Metropolitan Cathedral, considered the first cathedral raised in continental America. The piece joins that historical milestone with the Christmas motif of the Banco de México's year-end collection.

Value and collecting. It is not legal-tender currency, so it has no face value and does not circulate: its value is purely numismatic. The floor is set by the .999 silver ounce; above that, condition and the original case matter. An uncirculated piece with its box is worth quite a bit more than one that has been handled or cleaned. If you are going to buy or sell it, compare first at shops and ask in the forum so you do not pay a middleman's price.