Los Mineros, Guanajuato 1790, Carlos IV : Restructuring of Patterns and Varieties

by Alejandro Martínez Bustos

Within the theme of proclamation medals of the Spanish kings in the New World, we have had great numismatic authors since the 19th century who have classified these pieces to pass on to us an orderly record of the pieces in which the facts and events were perpetuated concerning each Spanish king within his colonies in America. Fonrobert, Herrera{footnote}Adolfo Herrera, Medallas de Proclamaciones y Juras de los Reyes de España, Madrid, Spain, 1882.{/footnote}, Medina{footnote}José Toribio Medina, Medallas de Proclamaciones y Juras de los Reyes de España en América, Santiago, Chile, 1917.{/footnote}, Rosa{footnote}Alejandro Rosa, Aclamaciones de los Monarcas Católicos en el Nuevo Mundo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1895 and Monetario Americano, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1892{/footnote}, Pérez Maldonado{footnote}Carlos Pérez Maldonado, Medallas de México -Conmemorativas, Monterrey, México, 1945{/footnote} and Grove{footnote}Frank W. Grove, Medals of Mexico Vol. I, Medals of the Spanish Kings, First Ed., California, USA, 1970 and .Second Ed., California, USA, 1976{/footnote} (among many others) were the main researchers and investigators in describing this great compendium of stories that are coined in medals that we enjoy today. All those publications were dedicated and tireless according to the possibilities of each author to approach large public and private collections. From all of them a small clue can be obtained to contribute new conclusions, and the simple passage of more than 130 years gives us a factual experience in terms of availability of information and particularly by e-media in which we have information and auction results by doing a click without the necessity to travel. Undoubtedly, in the future there will be someone who can contribute more elements and/or conclusions to this present reclassification of the medal of the Miners, Guanajuato, (henceforth described as “Los Mineros”) that I am trying to create as best as possible with all the documentation I have found . Let us begin with a summary of the historical antecedent that gave rise to what will be discussed in the following investigation.

The Gazata de México dated 10 May 1791 contains the list of the festivities celebrated on the occasion of the swearing of the oath.

This act ended with throwing to the People quantity of the gold, silver and copper coins that had been minted with this design, and … proceeded to the second act of the Proclamation from the stage of the Plazuela de San Pedro de Alcántara, having received the distinguished Corps of Mining, represented by its Deputies and Electors, who in their turn with equal generosity and joy threw into the joyful crowd an excessive number of the coins that for this purpose they ordered to be minted for their part of the same metals with the Bust of His Majesty. and characteristic figures of the Noble Corps that dedicated them, and the silver basins that contained them, the result of which was the repetition of general cries of victory and acclamations.
… having arrived at the Chapter House, the third act was celebrated on its magnificent stage with the same solemnity and pomp as in the others, returning to throw to the people quantity of coins, in which the portrait of the monarch was engraved on the obverse, and on the reverse the arms of the city, and after the act repeating the cheers and acclamations
…
From the same Royal Houses and with the same order, the City Council and the entire retinue accompanying the Marquis Alferez Rea went to his house at six o'clock in the afternoon, where they were served a splendid general refreshment, with so much variety of ice cream, fruits, cakes and composition of exquisite flowers, … and to better perpetuate the memory of such a plausible day distributed to the audience many medals of gold, silver and copper which in turn were minted with the bust of the king and the arms of his nobility, …{footnote}Gazata de México, Tomo IV, Núm. 33, 10 May 1791. The original text is "Guanaxuato 12 de Abril.
Relacion de las solemnes funciones con que celebró esta N. C. la Proclamacion del Señor DON CARLOS IIII.
…
Terminóse este acto con arrojarle al Pueblo cantidad de las Monedas de oro, plata y cobre que se habían acuñado con este designio, y volviéndose á ordenar la ilustre Comitiva, se procedió al segundo acto de la Proclamacion en el Tablado de la Plazuela de San Pedro de Alcántara, habiéndolos recibido el distinguido Cuerpo de la Minería representado por sus Diputados y Electores; quienes á su tiempo con igual generosidad y júbilo arrojaron al alborozado concurso número excesivo de las Monedas que para este efecto mandaron acuñar por su parte de los mismos metales con el Busto de S. M. y figuras características del Noble Cuerpo que las dedicaba, y las palanganas de plata que las contenían; cuya resulta fué la repeticion de los generales victores y aclamaciones.
Ordenado de nuevo el Paseo, y habiendo llegado á las Casa Capitulares, se celebró en su magnífico Tablado el tercer acto con la misma solemnidad y pompa que en ,los otros, volviéndose á arrojar al Pueblo cantidad de Monedas, en que staba gravado por el anverso el Retrato del Monarca, y por el reverso las Armas de la Ciudad, y terminado el acto repitiéndose los vivas y aclamaciones, quedó allí expuesto el Real Pendon por tres dias consecutivos con la correspondiente Guardia, y por las noches con la séria iluminacion de trescientas achas de cera, que repartidas con bella simetria entre la multitud de candílejas que adornaba toda la fachada, presentaban un golpe de luz tan extraordínario que emulaba las claridades del dia.
Desde las mismas Casas Reales y con igual órden, acompañando el Ayuntamiento y toda la Comitiva al Señor Marqués Alferez Real, se dirigieron á su Casa á las seis de la tarde, donde se les sirvió un expléndido general refresco, con tanta variedad de helados, frutas, masas y composicion de exquisitas flores, que dió que admirar aun a los Sugetos del mas delicado gusto; y para mejor perpetuar la memoria de tan plausible dia distribuyó á los Concurrentes muchas Medallas de oro, plata y cobre de las que por su parte se acuñaron con el Busto del Rey y las Armas de su Nobiliario, de las que á su tiempo se dirigieron á SS. MM. Real Familia y Ministerio con las de la Ciudad y Minería los correspondientes iuegos, acomodados en caxitas de madera forradas en terciopelo, y adornadas de exquisitos broches de plata y oro."{/footnote}.

The Marquis of San Juan de Rayas said: “…at the end of that act, a large number of medals were thrown to the people of the town on three occasions, apart from the medal that was distributed on my behalf…”, extracting the relevant information as follows: - The local Council or Cabildo in a letter dated 19 January 1791, described the day of the Proclamation Ceremony on 27 December 1790, in it states “to which he sent to the Court a gold medal, two in silver and two in copper”: in another letter addressed to the King, the Royal Ensign (Alférez Real), Marques de San Juan de Rayas, Don José Ma. de Sardaneta y Legaspi, dated 22 June 1791, with the same purpose, said the following: “I had gold, silver and copper medals opened in Mexico at my expense, to perpetuate the memory of this joy”, and another addressed to the Minister Porlier in which he added that: “put aside the royal busts of SS.MM. and on the other the arms of my house with the corresponding inscriptions” …”

The aforementioned was described by Carlos Pérez Maldonado in his book Medallas de México -Conmemorativas{footnote}Carlos Pérez Maldonado, op. cit., p.102{/footnote}. This excerpt was included after cataloging the medal of Los Mineros in Pérez Maldonado’s book and not after the one actually referred to in the letter of the Cabildo dated 19 January 1791, which Pérez Maldonado catalogued as No. 106 (Grove C-78), the los Mineros medal (Grove C-75), being the only one of the two which is known to have been struck in gold. In addition, it is worth considering the medal with the Guanajuato coat of arms, cataloged by Carlos Pérez Maldonado under No. 104 and 105 (Grove C-72, C-73 and C-74), which finally refers to the act of proclamation “held” on 25 December 1790 (although the official document described above states that this act was performed on 27 December 1790). Thiis medal is also not known in gold, which strengthens the fact that these three medals (the Los Mineros, Marques de Rayas and Proclamation of 25 December 1790), were distributed in the same act.

Once the historical framework that gave rise to this medal is described, I can point out that this is a highly accurate medal characterized by its complex, detailed and attractive reverse design made by Master Gerónimo Antonio Gil, and which is generically reported with the following three obverses:

1. INDIAS obverse

CARLOS † IIII † REY † DE † ESPAÑA † Y † DE † LAS † INDIAS †
Previously cataloged as Grove C-75, Medina 166, Herrera 144 – Cayón 144ª,
Rosa 113. Fonrobert 6824, Pérez-Maldonado 107.
Main Differences:
Signed G.A. GIL.
Short ponytail (coleta corta)
Wearing the Band of the Grand Cross of the Order of Carlos III and the Order of the Golden Fleece.
48 specimens of los Mineros medal were identified with this obverse in the different metals and finishes cataloged by Frank W. Grove and other authors consulted for this investigation.

This obverse corresponds to a Puebla Medal dated 17 January 1790, cataloged by Frank W. Grove as C-126 and in addition to the los Mineros medal, this obverse was subsequently used in Grove C-74 - Guanajuato Proclamation medal dated 25 December 1790; and C-201 - San Miguel el Grande Proclamation medal of 1791.

2. YNDIAS obverse

CARLOS † IIII † REY † DE † ESPAÑA † Y † DE † LAS † YNDIAS †
Previously cataloged as Grove C-76, Medina 167, Herrera uncataloged –
Cayón 144{footnote}Juan R. Cayón and Carlos Castán. Monedas Españolas, desde los Visigodos hasta el quinto Centenario del descubrimiento de América, Décima Ed., Madrid, España, 1992{/footnote}, Rosa uncataloged, Fonrobert uncataloged, Betts Plate 4, No. 11{footnote}Benjamin Betts. Some Undescribed Spanish-American Pieces, New York, USA, 1898, available in the USMexNA online library{/footnote}.
Main Differences:
Signed GIL
Long pontail (coleta larga)
Wearing the Band of the Grand Cross of the Order of Carlos III WITHOUT the Order of the Golden Fleece.

It is to be considered that the workload was so great for the year 1790 (a year in which more than 68 medals were issued, apart from those that are obviously presumed to be made locally such as that of Chihuahua (Grove C-54) and those of Guatemala ( Grove C-80 to C-87), New Mexico (Grove C-90), and those of Pátzcuaro (Grove C118-120)) that it is unlikely that the dies for events held in January 1790 had been prepared at the same time as those that were intended for an event to be held in October of the same year. The workload was such that it is feasible to have dies in such a way in advance of the act that it was necessary to issue certain medals. In some cases, the bust dies were reused for other proclamation medals for other acts and places.

This obverse corresponds to a Puebla medal cataloged by Frank W. Grove as C-125 and was damaged in the issue of these Puebla medals. it is enough to relate the photograph from the Frank W. Grove book to confirm this: consequently, all the Los Mineros medal with this bust present the aforementioned damage.

Abundant in time regarding the use of this obverse die, it can be seen that it was once again used for the execution of the proclamation medal of San Miguel el Grandet, dated 1791, cataloged by Grove as C-202 and is not a surprise that all of these pieces are clearly identified by the die break across the reverse that has been discussed.

3. YNDs obverse

CARLOS * IIII * REY * DE ESPAÑA * Y * EMPERADOR * DE LAS * YNDs.
This obverse corresponds to a Puebla Medal dated 17 January 1790, cataloged by Frank W. Grove as C-127.
Previously cataloged as Grove C-76.5, Medina uncataloged, Herrera uncataloged, Rosa uncataloged, Fonrobert uncataloged.
Main Differences:
Signed *G*A*GIL*
Sort ponytail
Wearing the Band of the Grand Cross of the Order of Carlos III WITHOUT the Order of the Golden Fleece. Four button jacket.
I did not locate any other medal with this obverse for Los Mineros, just the one in bronze cataloged by Grove, in the second edition of his book published in 1976, under Grove 76.5, which belonged to his collection. This was later sold by Superior Galleries at its auction dated 11 June 1986, lot 678 in which it was wrongly described as Grove C-75c “with die break across reverse”.

In addition to the Los Mineros medal, this obverse was subsequently used in the following medals: Grove C-73 -Guanajuato Proclamation medal dated 25 December 1790 and C-203 - San Miguel el Grande Proclamation medal of 1791.

My conclusions regarding the use of obverses are.
1.- The Los Mineros medal had in its definitive issue the use of the INDIAS obverse;
2.- The use of the YNDIAS obverse was incidental and with the effect of carrying out the first Trial Strikes of the first reverse made for Los Mineros medal, which we will call “Star to the Center” (explained later); and
3.- The use of the YNDs obverse was incidental and the second obverse die to be used in the elaboration of Trial Strikes of the first reverse made to Los Mineros medal, which I will expose as the “Star to the Center” reverse.
Together with the YNDIAS obverse that already had damage since being worn on the Puebla medal of 17 January 1790, caused a collapse in the coining process that also affected the reverse “Star to the Center”, with no other option to execute a second reverse die that I will expose as the “Three central stars” reverse.

The two reverses are as follows:

1. Three central stars reverse

Previously catalogued as Grove C-75 and 77, Medina 166, Herrera 144 –Cayón 144ª, Rosa 113, Fonrobert 6824, and Pérez-Maldonado 107.
This reverse was the second and final design used in the Los Mineros medal.
The essential elements that identify it are located in the exergue legend and are the three central stars that separate the word “DE” and the date 1790.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Star to the Center reverse

This has a single star in the center of the exegue.
Previously cataloged as Grove C-76 (first edition of 1970 and second edition of 1976) and 76.5 (second edition of 1976), Medina 167, Herrera uncataloged – Cayón 144, Rosa uncataloged, Fonrobert uncataloged, Betts Plate 4, No. 11.
This reverse was the first design for the Los Mineros medal.
There is no evidence of any medal with this design that does not present the transverse damage that goes from 2:00 to 7:00.
I have the hypothesis that the YNDIAS obverse (with pre-existing damage since the coinage of Puebla medals dated 17 January 1790), was related to the affectation suffered by this reverse.

The progression of the damage (die break across the reverse) was so fast that only a few Trial Strikes with the INDIAS obverse (the definitive obverse design) were made, and with the necessity to execute a second reverse, which was already detailed as the Three central stars reverse (the definitive reverse design).

Below you will find the two known Trial Strikes with the INDIAS obverse and Star to the Center reverse. Both were offered as with bronze module, pieces that are Trial Strikes, since, otherwise, in the performed research the number would have been more balanced between this combination and the definitive Issue.

Trial Strike Type III

INDIAS obverse , Star to the Center reverse

Cayón Subastas. Quick Auction 45 dated 29 November 2017, lot 8533, in which the cataloger noted well and described that the obverse corresponded to Grove C-75 and the reverse corresponded to Grove C-76.

Tauler & Fau - Herrero. Auction 56 – Spring Special dated 29 April 2020, lot 633, in which the cataloger described the defect and/or damage of the reverse but only cataloged as H-144.

Hypothesis in the wear progression or damage of dies until the definitive issue

1. YNDIAS obverse, Star to the Center reverse. The collapse of the dies. Trial Strike Type I.

2.A. YNDsobverse, Star to the Center reverse. Selection of the new obverse bust among the existing ones while the reverse was made by reason of the affectation or damage. Trial Strike Type II.

2.B. INDIAS obverse, Star to the Center reverse. Selection of the new obverse bust among the existing ones while the new reverse was made by reason of the affectation or damage. Trial Strike Type III.

3. While the new reverse was made by reason of the affectation or damage, the Trial Strikes Type I, II and III are in approval process of the obverse. Silver, bronze (perhaps copper) and bronze, gold-plated medals were sent in order to review in all metals and finishes in which usually these medals are issued. Trial Strikes for Approval of the Bust.

4. INDIAS obverse, Three central stars reverse, constituted the final designs for Los Mineros Guanajuato medal dated 28 October 1790. Definitive issue.

From the present investigation it is concluded that:
1.- Grove C-75 in its four versions, gold, silver (a), bronze, gold-plated (b) and bronze (c), constitute the definitive issue for this medal;
2.- Grove C-76, the medal that was later cataloged as C-76.5 as well as the unlisted C-75 obverse C-76 reverse, were trial strikes prior to the definitive issue. Existing trial strikes were made in bronze (perhaps copper), silver and bronze, gold-plated, of which two of the three previous proposed designs are known.
3.- This study did not include Grove C-77, which is also part of the Los Mineros issue. It is only to be said that the obverse was taken from a pre-existing medal, and the reverse corresponds to the Three central stars (the definitive reverse).
4.- During the development of this research, two really atypical pieces of a different nature were located. The first one that I will present is a very late issue, unlike the second one which is a very early issue. We will see why.

The first case corresponds to Grove C-75c (the definitive issue in bronze), struck on a planchet that I calculate to be a centimeter less than usual, that is to say 46 millimeters in diameter with the perculiarity that the reeded edge is very marked unlike the medals of this style of that time that are plain edge. There is no medal from that time in which the edge has that kind of reeded, so this piece is concluded as a restrike. This medal was offered by Alberto Hidalgo in his Auction No. 48 dated 18 October 2014, lot 405 and can be presumed as the only one known.

There are also imprints (where the dies have been pressed against some type of paper or cardboard), which were made on a Spanish deck of playing cards and are known from various proclamation medals. All of these imprints are from dies that are currently in the San Carlos Academy. These imprints were offered by Cayón Subastas at their auction dated 12 November 2006, lot 3265.

My conclusion for this first case is that both the striking of the planchet and the imprints were carried out considerably after the definitive issue and by whover was holding the dies. The dies that make up the medal cataloged as Grove C-75 were received and belong to the Academia de San Carlos, University Heritage of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM. ...
The second case corresponds to a piece that shows the Three central stars reverse (the definitive reverse) and an obverse which I consider was prepared as the first option for the Los Mineros medal, which must have been done concomitantly to the Three central stars reverse as previously described, but failed in its execution in the following two aspects: the die fractured early at 7:00 and to the nape of the king’s bust; as they had already had a bad experience with the Star to the Center reverse, they did not hesitate to discard it and use one of those already made for previous medals. In addition, it seems that the legends were found to be poorly calculated in terms of size since the letter ‘S’ of the word ‘INDIAS’ was partially overlapped in the bust girdle, which ultimately removes quadrature and elegance to the design.
In my opinion, this confirms the urgency to complete the work that was entrusted to them and to issue the Los Mineros medal as soon as possible, - the reason why they were forced to select between one of the INDIAS, YNDIAS and YNDs obverses. If we placed the progression in the use of dies until the final issue in our hypothesis diagram, it would be between point number 2 and 3.

Each and every one of the obverse designs previously presented, describe the King as CARLOS IIII, the next obverse describes him as CARLOS IV. The reverse does not present a variant to the Three central stars reverse (the definitive reverse) so I only include the obverse. This piece was certified by NGC as MS 62, Grove C-75a (that is, INDIAS obverse with Three central stars reverse definitive issue - in silver) and was auctioned by Heritage Auctions on 27 October 2019, lot 39080, from the Dresden Collection of Hispanic and Brazilian Proclamation Medals. The NGC classification is not very precise, since the obverse does not correspond to the type described as Grove C-75a: at least the variety in the obverse should have been mentioned. Heritage Auctions also declined to comment on the misclassification given by NGC.
Obverse used for Grove C-77, Los Mineros, and on other medals.

 

 

Overlapping S      IV instead of IIII      Rupture or failure along the side and up to the nape.

I can say that, after an exhaustive investigation into the Los Mineros medal, I can confirm the existence of a couple of authors who cataloged this piece, but unfortunately the fact was lost in the old books. García López in his 1905 work classified it as No. 287 ( page 202), but the first mention I could identify was Alejandro Rosa, in 1895, who described this piece in his book Aclamaciones de los Monarcas Católicos en el Nuevo Mundo, listed under the No. 115 (page 273). However, thee catalogs of Vidal Quadras, Fonrobert, as well as Herrera’s work, do not consider it.

I conclude with a table that classifies all the varieties and trial strikes for the Los Mineros medal:

#	Los Mineros	Issue Type	Composition	Previous Classification	Examples identified
1	Obverse INDIAS Reverse 3 central stars	Definitive Issue	Gold	Grove C-75	2
2	Obverse INDIAS Reverse 3 central stars	Definitive Issue	Silver	Grove C-75a	23
3	Obverse INDIAS Reverse 3 central stars	Definitive Issue	Bronze, Gold- Plated	Grove C-75b	3
4	Obverse INDIAS Reverse 3 central stars	Definitive Issue	Bronze	Grove C-75c	18
4A	Obverse INDIAS Reverse 3 central stars	Definitive Issue	Copper (Medina/Rosa)	Grove C-76 UNCAT	2
5	Obverse YNDIAS Reverse Star to the Center	Trial Strike TYPE I	Bronze, Gold- Plated	Grove C-76	2
6	Obverse YNDIAS Reverse Star to the Center	Trial Strike TYPE I	Bronze (Medina)	Grove C-76	1
6A	Obverse YNDIAS Reverse Star to the Center	Trial Strike TYPE I	Copper, Gold- Plated (Betts)	Grove C-76 UNCAT	0
6B	Obverse YNDIAS Reverse Star to the Center	Trial Strike TYPE I	Copper (Cayón)	Grove C-76 UNCAT	0
7	Obverse YNDIAS Reverse Star to the Center	Presentation Trial Strike TYPE I	Silver	Grove C-76a	3
8	Obverse YNDs Reverse Star to the Center	Trial Strike TYPE II	Bronze	Grove C-76.5	1
9	Obverse YNDs Reverse Star to the Center	Trial Strike TYPE II	Bronze, Gold- Plated	Grove C-76.5 UNCAT	0
10	Obverse INDIAS Reverse Star to the Center	Trial Strike TYPE III	Bronze	Grove Anv C-75 Rev C-76 UNCAT	2
11	Obverse INDIAS Reverse Star to the Center	Trial Strike TYPE III	Bronze, Gold- Plated	Grove Anv C-75 Rev C-76 UNCAT	0
12	Obverse INDIAS Reverse 3 central stars	Subsequent Imprint	Spanish deck card	Grove C-75 VAR	1
13	Obverse INDIAS Reverse 3 central stars	Restrike	Bronze Deep Corded Edge	Grove C-75 VAR	1
14	Obverse Carlos IV Reverse 3 central stars	Assay (failed)	Silver Rosa No. 115	Grove Obv C-UNCAT Rev C-75	2
15	To be determined	Trial Strike	Lead	To be determined	0
				TOTAL	61

 
 
Notes:
The medal cataloged by Grove as C-77 and those that could derive from the combination of Obverses and Reverses are excluded.
The copper medals are listed as sub issues, a the various authors could have confused them with bronze.
The column “EXAMPLES IDENTIFIED” could repeat medals verified in different books and/or auction catalogues. Where the numeral 0 is given, this means that it was listed but without a photograph.
There are specimens minted in lead, to be found in the Academia de San Carlos, but due to the present pandemic I could not research them The proclamation medals of the Spanish Kings in the New World, in connection with a diameter of 45 mm or more, could have weight variations of up to 12 grams. Keep in mind that these medals did not pursue the principle of circulating money, in which the intrinsic value (fineness and weight) does not exceed the circulation (or face) value. Weight variations do not mean restrikes or forgeries in this kind of medals, although it is true there are other medals of the period which have restrike specimens. In the particular case of the Los Mineros, I do not have evidence of counterfeit or restrike pieces, except for the one described as no. 13 of the preceding table. This abundant topic will already be the subject of another publication.

Ferdinand VII Proclamation Medals

On 23 June 1808, Mexico received the news about the deplorable events that happened at Aranjuez on 19 March 1808: the uprising against Prime Minister Manuel Godoy that in turn caused the abdication by Charles IV from the throne of Spain and of the Indies in favour of his son, the Prince of Asturias, who ascended the throne with the name of Ferdinand VII. Shortly thereafter, Ferdinand himself abdicated and looked to Napoleon for aid. The latter held the former "under guard" for over five years at the Chateau de Valençay, a property owned by Napoleon's former foreign minister Talleyrand. During this time, Napoleon installed his brother, Joseph, as king - a move which was never accepted by the Spanish people nor her colonies. In Mexico, for example, coins continued to be struck in the name of Ferdinand, still recognized as the true Spanish king. Ferdinand was eventually allowed to return to the Spanish throne late in 1813, as Napoleon faced bigger issues closer to home.

When  Joseph Bonaparte took the throne, the Cortes (Parliament) installed itself in Cadiz to act as Regent of the kingdom in the absence of Ferdinand VII.

Facing such a grave situation, the Royal Tribunal of Mexico and His Excellency, Viceroy José de Iturigaray, made a decision and the viceroy issued edicts and declarations directed to all the bishops, royal officers, quartermasters and mayors of all the cities and towns of the kingdom informing them of all that had happened and asking for their cooperation and help to strengthen the monarchy and ordered them in a threatening manner to immediately celebrate the proclamation of the unfortunate new sovereign.

Due to the difficult political times in which they were living, it was important to celebrate the Proclamation of His Majesty, King Ferdinand VII of Bourbon, in exile and denied his liberty. This public act was, at the same time, a declaration of loyalty and faithfulness to the unfortunate sovereign, a recognition of the legitimacy of the king and a repudiation of the usurper, Joseph Bonaparte, who occupied the throne.

For these reasons the Viceroy of New Spain and the Royal Tribunal, in unanimous accord, decided that the said ceremony should take place on 13 August 1808. In the case of the proclamation of Ferdinand VII we have an exaggerated number of proclamation medals that were struck by the cities, towns, important villages, institutions and individuals.

Mexico City

Issues were made in Mexico City as follows.

1808, first issue in gold, silver and copper with a diameter of 43 mm.

(Stack's Bowers)

The obverse displays a nice bust of the king facing right with his hair cut short and uncombed, dressed in a coat with an embroidered collar, the sash of the Order of the Golden Fleece and a cloak. On the border is the legend in Spanish: A FERNANDO VII REY DE ESPANA Y DE LAS INDIAS (TO FERDINAND VII KING OF SPAIN AND OF THE INDIES). Under the bust is the signature of the engraver, Francisco Gordillo (F. Gordillo F. Mo).

The reverse is also beautiful. In the centre of the field is the oval coat of arms of Mexico City: a tower supported by two lions on a bridge over the waters of the lake. The shield is topped with a large imperial crown. This symbol says that he is King of Spain and Emperor of the Indies. The shield is supported on the right by the figure of an Indian woman with feather decoration in her hair and on the left by an eagle and serpent. On the margin the legend continues from the principal face: EN SU EXALTACIÓN AL TRONO – LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (ON YOUR ELEVATION TO THE THRONE – THE CITY OF MEXICO), and on the exergue in two lines EN 13 DE AGOSTO DE 1808 (ON 13 OF AUGUST OF 1808).

[image needed]

1808, second issue only in silver and copper with diameter of 42 mm.

The king's bust suffered a modification: on his head is a laurel crown and his face is completely different from the preceding specimen. Everything else is equal.

[image needed]

1808, third issue in gold, silver, copper and gold plated bronze with diameter of 43 mm.

The king's bust is a three quarters view facing right and dressed in the same clothes as the preceding examples. The legends and the decorative elements on the reverse are the same. These emissions also display the signature of the engraver Francisco Gordillo and the date 13 August 1808.

1808, fourth issue of a coin type medal in silver with 40 mm. diameter.

On the obverse are four different representations of the Spanish coat of arms and the motto on the border in Spanish: FERNANDO VII REY DE ESPAÑA Y DE LAS INDIAS (FERDINAND VII KING OF SPAIN AND OF THE INDIES). On the reverse in five lines reads: PROCLAMDO EN MÉXICO EL 13 DE AGOST DEL AÑO DE 1808 (PROCLAIMED IN MEXICO ON 13 AUGUST OF THE YEAR 1808.)

1808, two more issues, equal to the preceding one but with smaller diameter of 27 and 30 mm. in silver and copper with the same designs and legends. These were surely the pieces that were thrown to the crowd during the Proclamation ceremony.

The Bustamante Medal

Carlos Maria Bustamante, a passionate admirer of the king, ordered from the Royal Mint on his own account an issue of medals of 51 mm. diameter in silver, gold plated bronze and copper.

On the obverse is a stern faced monarch facing right with the hair combed to the back, which completely changed the king's appearance, and dressed in a coat with high collar and cloak. On the border is the circular motto in two lines: FERNANDO VII EL DESEADO REY DE ESPAÑA Y DE LAS INDIAS – PADRE DE UN PUEBLO LIBRE (FERDINAND VII THE DESIRED KING OF SPAIN AND OF THE INDIES - FATHER OF A FREE PEOPLE).

The reverse shows an allegory consisting of a radiant royal crown at the centre, some flags, a lion and a fallen French eagle with the legend on the border: SIEMPRE FIELES Y SIEMPRE UNIDOS. BUSTAMANTE ERIGIO AÑO DE 1808. (ALWAYS LOYAL. AND ALWAYS UNITED. BUSTAMANTE MADE YEAR OF 1808). The engraver of these pieces was Tomás Suria.

El Comercio

1809, In gold, silver, gold plated bronze and copper with diameter 57 x 44 mm.

The obverse displays a very well done bust of the king facing right. On the border is the legend in Spanish: AMADO FERNANDO VII EL COMERCIO DE N.E. DERRAMARÁ GUSTOSO SU SANGRE EN TU DEFENSA (BELOVED FERDINAND VII. THE COMMERCE OF N. E. WILL GLADLY SPILL ITS BLOOD IN YOUR DEFENSE). On the reverse are two mythological figures, Mars, God of War, and Mercury, God of Commerce with their appropriate attributes and the legend on the border LA INDUSTRIA Y EL VALOR SE UNIRAN EN DEFENSA DEL MONARCA. -TOMAS SURIA EN MEXICO AGISTO DE 1809 (INDUSTRY AND VALOR UNITE IN DEFENSE OF THE MONARCH -TOMAS SURIA IN MEXICO AUGUST 1809). On the upper part of these medals is a ring decorated with foliage.

El Colegio Mexicano

1809. In gold, silver, gold plated bronze and copper with diameter 46 x 37 mm.

On the obverse the bust facing right dressed with a coat and the sash of the Golden Fleece. The legends in Latin on the border allude to his captivity. On the reverse a royal crown is in the upper part and below it a painting of three Indians conversing. On the lower part are two overlapping worlds and the signature of the engraver of José Maria Guerrero, a noted artist who was outstanding as a sculptor and engraver.

El Colegio de San Idelfonso

1808. First issue, in silver, gold plated bronze and copper with diameter 46 x 37.5 mm.

On the obverse is the bust of the king facing left, the hair is combed forward and he is dressed in a coat with high collar and the sash of the Golden Fleece. On the margin is the motto in Latin: (FERDINAND VII KING OF SPAIN AND OF THE INDIES). In the centre of the field on the reverse is a group of hearts and the signature of the engraver J. M. GUERRERO. A. 1808. On the upper part there is a ring decorated with palm fronds and foliage.

1808 Second issue, in silver, gold plated bronze and copper.

This specimen is exactly the same as the preceding one except that the ring does not have any decoration.

El Seminario Tridentino

1809. First issue in silver, gold plated bronze and copper with diameter of 47 mm.

On the obverse is a bust of the king facing left with the hair cut short and in complete disorder and tangled, dressed in a coat and the sash of the Golden Fleece. On the border is the motto in Latin: FERDIN. VII HISPAN. REX INDIARUMQUE IMPERADOR. On the upper part is a ring with palm fronds on one side and foliage on the other. On the reverse is an unidentified female figure.

1809. Second issue, only in silver with diameter of 47 mm.

This medal is exactly like the preceding but does not have any decoration on the ring.

Real y Pontíficia Universidad de México

1808. First issue in silver, gold plated bronze and copper with diameter 47 x 38 mm.

On the obverse is the bust of the sovereign facing right with a laurel crown and dressed in a Roman style toga. On the border is the legend in Latin with the name of the king and his titles and attributes. The reverse has the legends alluding to the date in Roman numerals and the name of the engraver: GUERRERO. These medals have a ring for hanging decorated with palm fronds on both sides.

1808. Second issue, in silver, gold plated bronze and copper with diameter of 47 x 38 mm.

These medals are exactly the same as the preceding with the exception that there is not a support or adornment on the upper part. As the previous issue, it is the work of the sculptor and engraver Jose Maria Guerrero, who achieved some beautiful specimens.

Third issue. Without a date. In gold plated bronze only with diameter of 35 x 29 mm.

The obverse has the bust of the king facing right dressed with a coat, sash and cloak. On the reverse the legends are in Latin. On the upper part are two long thin supports for the ring. Certainly these medals were made for the university students with less money.

1809. Fourth issue, in silver and copper with diameter of 50 mm.

This is one of the more beautiful medals that was struck in the Royal Mint in the name of King Ferdinand VII. The obverse displays the monarch's bust facing left dressed in a coat with nicely embroidered high collar and the sash of the Order of the Golden Fleece. His short hair is in disorder. On the border is the motto in Latin: FERNANDVS VII BORBONIVS REX CATHOLICVS. On the reverse in the foreground is the figure of Minerva, Goddess of Knowledge, attired with a helmet, tunic, shield and lance. On the exergue is the inscription J. M. GUERRERO INVENTO Y G. EN Mo A. DE 1809 (J. M. GUERRERO INVENTED AND ENGRAVED IN Mo YEAR OF 1809).

(The foregoing section on Mexico City based on Antonio Deana Salmerón, La Proclamación del Rey Fernando VII en el Reino de la Nueva España)

Actopan

Obverse: FERNANDO VII REY DE ESPANA Y DE LAS INDIAS / (Coat-of-Arms)
Reverse: PROCLAMADO ENS. / NICOLAS ACTOPAN / POR DN JOSE MAXIMIA / FERNANDEZ / ADMINISTRADOR DIA / RL. RENTA D CORES / A. 1808

Parras

F-101 Gold Proclamation Medal (Stack’s Bowers Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection Auction, 15 April 2005, lot 3218)

The obverse has the bust of Fernando VII wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece. Signed by F. Gordillo of the Mexico City mint under bust. This medal was unknown to Grove in gold.

Puebla

F-122 Gold Proclamation Medal (Stack’s Bowers NYINC Auction, 18 January 2020, lot 21176)

The reverse has the coat of arms of Puebla containing a vase and three lilies, with legend around.

Querétaro

On obverse *FERNANDO *VII *REY *DE *ESPAÑA *Y *DE *LAS *INDIAS and on reverse PROCLAMADO / EN QUERETARO / POR SU ALFZ. RL. / D.PEDRO SEPTIEN / AÑO . 1808 / *4R*

F-135 Silver Proclamation 8 Reales (Stack’s Bowers Auction, 15 August 2023, lot 51307) 

Zamora

F-206 Silver Medal (Stack’s Bowers NYINC Auction, 15 January 2022, lot 2354)

The obverse has the crowned coat-of-arms between crowned and garlanded Pillars of Hercules and the reverse: the legend, date, and the denomination of eight reales within a wreath.

 

 

The Consulate of Mexico

Towards the end of the 16th century a group of merchants who had arrived in New Spain as independents or agents of export companies in Seville. in a meeting with the town hall decided to write to the King asking him to institute a consulate similar to those already existing in Burgos and Seville. This, they explained, would solve several doubts and differences of opinion regarding trade between these entities. lt seems that most differences and doubts arose among their counterparts in Seville who had monopolized the market and the only way to counteract their power and make themselves independent was through their own consulate.

When the King learned about this petition, in a letter dated 9 June 1590, he asked the Viceroy and his council in Mexico for their opinion regarding the establishment of such a consulate. The answer must have been favourable as on 15 June 1592, Phillip II in a royal decree granted the privilege, thus creating the first chamber of commerce in Spanish America.

On 13 March 1593 the council received the royal decree and delivered it to the Audiencia{footnote}Audiencia: A Judicial tribunal established to administer royal justice. In Spanish Colonial America, this was one of the most important governmental institutions, taking care of criminal, civil and ecclesiastical matters.{/footnote} for its confirmation. On 29 March an agreement was pronounced whereby it promised to obey the royal mandate and to give further instructions once the president and the judges had studied the bylaws that existed in Seville and Burgos. On May 17 an accord was reached and the Audiencia authorized the creation of the Court of the council supplying it from the beginning with a court of appeal under the administration of a judge, named by the Viceroy.

The royal decree was proclaimed aloud on 23 and 25 and on 3 and 4 January 1594 another proclamation summoned all wholesalers to a meeting on 7 January to appoint delegates.

On that day the electoral body was chosen and it met the next day to elect their officials. The meeting was interrupted due to an accusation presented to the Audiencia that the electoral body had admitted retail merchants to its group, contrary to its bylaws. The Audiencia could find no proof for the accusation and the membership of the electoral body was approved on 11 Juanuary. Gordian Casasano, appointed judge of appeal, then summoned the chosen for the next day and in a meeting with 23 members present the officials were chosen and voted in. Diego Hurtado de Peñaloza became the first Prior and Juan de Astudillo the first Consul, with Domingo Hernandez as second Consul. They were immediately sworn in and later five deputies were elected, to assist the Prior and the Consuls in the administrative duties.

Thus the Consulate in Mexico, like those in Spain and in other parts of the world, was born out of the desire of a group of merchants anxious to protect their interests through corporate action, and with an independent judicial power. This privileged group began its life in 1594 negotiating and signing a contract with the boatmen of Veracruz whereby all unloaded merchandize would be brought to Mexico City. Since the beginning of the colonial epoch this had always constituted a problem as Veracruz represented the key to the commercial entry to the colony and the boatmen always refused to make themselves responsible for the merchandize and much less to bring it to the city. However, with this contract the consulate almost monopolized its transport.

In 1602 a registry was signed to the effect that the consulate was to collect all sales tax in Mexico City and its vicinity. In exchange the consulate would contribute 150,000 to the Crown per annum regardless of the amount collected. This disposition also served to get rid of all official tax collectors, not too friendly towards the council.

In 1635 the consulate granted a subsidy of 600,000 to the Crown in exchange for solving the irregularities in the Peruvian and Philippine trades. Through the Manila Galleon these people controlled the Philippine trade with New Spain and the problem consisted in the Peruvian contraband to Mexico.

Furthermore the consulate, thanks to its economic solvency, began to monopolize agriculture as the mayors underwrote credits in merchandize against harvests in their hands when entering the city.

In 1720, when the Jalapa fairs were established, the consulate confronted its counterparts in Seville and later those of Cadiz from which it snatched the monopoly of sales of merchandize in New Spain, First in the interior through sales tax, later by purchasing the major part of the cargo in the port or at the Jalapa fair and several times through contraband. Although they themselves protested, it was mainly they who flooded the market with merchandize in order to force the merchants from Seville and Cadiz to lower their prices and since the latter had to sail back, they invariably ended up acceding.

Another profitable business was to hoard the currency in circulation later to export it to Spain through a contract whereby they would receive 10 reales for every 8 reales piece. In Europe where silver was scarce they went for 12 reales. This is why coins were so scarce in New Spain during those years. In a dispatch to the Viceroy in 1770, the consulate complained about the habit of small establishments tminting their own copper coins redeemable only in their stores, thereby hurting general business (The curious thing about the complaint is that the people of the consulate hoarded even fractional silver coins).

The Consulate, besides being granted concessions and privileges, also took part in construction work and charity. It built hospitals and churches and participated in the sewage construction in the City of Mexico. lt paid a heavy subsidy to the Court of Order (the police during the 18th and 19th century) and from its initiation formed a guard for the road between Veracruz and Mexico and later another between the city and Acapulco.

With the Bourbon reforms as introduced by Phillip V and executed by Charles III, the Consulate began to see its power and profit reduced whereby the big storekeepers started to invest in mining and haciendas. with the result that huge mining companies were formed.

With the Bourbons began the decline as the fleets were suspended. The merchants were no longer allowed to celebrate contracts with the mayors and the opening of all Spanish ports to free trade produced a tidal wave of merchandize available in the Mexican markets thereby ending the monopoly both here and there.

The proclamation pieces of the Consulate all belong to the Bourbon Dynasty.

There are no known proclamation pieces of the Consulate for the proclamation of Philip V in 1701. However, the chronicle of this swearing-in ceremony says that the Prior of the Consulate, Pedro Sanchez de Tagle, together with the Consuls had several medals with the bust of the new monarch minted and that these were distributed in the vast territories of New Spain by the captains of the court.

Nor do we know of proclamation medals struck in 1724 for Louis I by the Viceroy of New Spain, Juan de Acuña y Benavides, Marquis of Casa Fuerte.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[images needed]

Obverse, an armored bust of Fernando to the riight, with a wig, and wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece.
FERDINAND. VI.D.G.HISPA ET INDIAR.REX
Reverse, a coat of arms of the Consulate.
CONSVLAT.MEX.IN EIVD PROCLAMAT.1747

[images needed]

Obverse, an armored bust of Fernando to the riight, with a wig, and wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece.
FERDINANDVS. VI.D.G.HISPANIARUM.REX
Reverse, a coat of arms of the Consulate.
IMPERATOR  INDIARUM.
On the exergue, in two lines
CONSVLATUS 1747
Divided by the shield of the coat od arms
ME XI

On 11 February 1747 the first count of Revillagigedo, Viceroy of New Spain, left his house followed by a numerous entourage composed of members of the courts and the nobility to hoist the banner for the new monarch, to thunderous acclamation. Here for the first time appear the proclamation medals of the Consulate as the Prior, Domingo Gomendio de Urutia, ordered 3,000 pieces struck in silver and 100 in gold{footnote}According to Perez Maldonado, p. 46, 3,000 silver and 100 gold medals were thrown to the croed in the proclamation ceremony.{/footnote}. The obverse carries the bust of Ferdinand VI and the reverse the coat of arms that had been conferred on the Consulate by King Phillip III in 1603, namely “a Royal crown above a divided shield where one can see a vase with Madonna lilies symbolizing the pure conception of the forever Virgin Mary, our Lady. Also the five wounds of the angelic father San Francisco, patrons of this distinguished court.”

[images needed]

Obverse, a half-length figure of Fernando to the riight, with a frock coat, and wearing a wig and hat.
UIVA. EL. SENOR.DON, FERINANDO.VI.
Reverse, a closed helmet facing to the left, a sword, gun, lance and flag.
EL COMERCIO. DE GUARALAXARA.    1747

On 14 October 1747 Ferdinand VI was proclaimed in Guadalajara. The merchants of this city distributed these medals among themselves as among the nobility. In a certain way they began to show signs of wanting their own consulate as their merchants depended on a sub council of the one in Mexico City.

When Ferdinand died on 10 August 1759 his half brother Charles III ascended the throne and was proclaimed in New Spain in 1760. He and his ministers were to cause the monopolizers of the consulates in Spain and America several strong headaches. As they were under pressure due to the increasing threat of English power and economic decay at home, they practised several reforms of a political, administrative and economic character. In politics they tried to recuperate for the Crown the powers that the Hapsburgs had delegated to groups and corporations such as the consulates of the merchants, the Church, the landowners, etc. As for administration, the reforms were meant to create a modern state with more efficient institutions managed by civil servants loyal to the royal power and well trained in their jobs. Economically speaking, the reforms were meant to revive the decaying Spanish economy by making the American colonies finance it more decisively. The laws of 1765, 1774, 1778 and 1789 became the mortal blow to the consulates as they did away with the principal sector monopolizing both in Spain and in America.

Obverse, an armored bust of Carlos to the right, with a wig and sash.
CARL.III.D.G.HISPA.REX.MEXIC.PROCL.    1760
Reverse, a coat of arms of the Consulate
IMPERATOR  INDIARUM
On the exergue, in two lines
A. MADERO F.    CONSVLATUS

 

Stack’s-Bowers Online Auction, 14 February 2019, Lot 71551

We know of two types of medals from 1760, both with the bust of the monarch on the obverse and the coat of arms on the reverse. The engraver's name is A. Madero. But the curious thing is that one of the pieces has an edge legend reading: "MERCIBUS MERCEDIBUS CONSULIT VIRGA AEQUITATIS VIRGA REGNI SUI" (with the sceptre of equity, which is the royal sceptre, he favored the merchants wíth concessions). How wrong they were. The Prior at the time was Jacinto del Barrio.

Grove C=26A. Stack’s-Bowers Online Auction, 2 March 2023, Lot 72032

[images needed]

Obverse, a laureated, undraped bust Carlos to the right.
A CARLOS IV REY DE ESPAÑA   Y DE LA YNDIAS
Below the bust is small letters
A.11.de.abril.de.1790.
Reverse, a coat of arms of the Consulate
A SU PROCLAMACION EL CONSULADO DE MEXICO
On the exergue
AÑO DE 1789.

On 16 December 1789 it was announced that the fidelity towards the new King, Charles IV, was to be sworn on 27 December. The Viceroy, Juan Vicente de Guemes Pacheco de Padilla, second count of Revillagigedo, who had barely arrived hurried to organize the festivities. The Prior of the consulate, Juan de Castaniza, first Marquis of Castaniza, in consultation with his colleagues had four beautiful pieces struck. On the obverse the bust of Charles III and on the reverse the coat of arms of the Consulate in the middle and to the right Mercury, god of commerce and of the thieves as well and to the left a boat. The engraver was Gerónimo Antonio GilGerónimo Antonio GilGerónimo Antonio Gil.

During the rule of Charles IV the Consulate carne under heavy attacks by the Viceroy Revillagigedo, as he i accused the Consulate of wanting to subordinate the Spanish economic interests as well as the Mexican ones in favour of a handful of wealthy merchants residing in the city. He suggested the complete abolishment of the Consulate or that at least others be established in all principal cities of the colony. At the same time the public prosecutor, Ramon de Posada, directly accused the Consulate asking "if the wellbeing of one city is to be preferred over two hundred, if the majority of this opulent empire ought to be sacrificed in the interest of a few rich merchants" and indicated that the investments in agriculture and mining was a favourable result of the free trade. Also during the rule of Charles IV two more consulates were set up, that of Veracruz and that of Guadalajara in 1795.

When on 28 June 1808 Mexico learned how people in Spain had taken up arms against the troops of Napoleon, people rushed to the streets cheering and proclaiming Ferdinand VII swearing to defend him to the death. The Viceroy was José de lturrigaray who found himself in between two parties; the creoles who dominated the town hall and the Spaniards who represented the economy, the nobility and the power.
In 1808 it became an open conflict between the two parties; The night of 15 September 1808 Gabriel Yerno, in front of several merchants and the troops of the Consulate, penetrated the Palace and took the Viceroy prisoner. He and his family were sent to the convent of San Bernardo. Command was handed over to an old soldier called Pedro Garibay on an interim basis and the Viceroy was returned to Spain where he died several years later.

The only proclamation medal known, dated 1808, is on behalf of the Consulate in Guatemala which besides proclaiming Ferdinand VII also celebrated the 14th anniversary of its foundation.

[images needed]

Obverse, a a bust of Fernando to the right, with a sash, and wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece.
AMADO FERNANDO VII. EL COMERCIO DE N.E. DERAMARA GUSTOSO SU SANGRE EN TU DEFENSA.
Reverse, standing figures of Mars and Mercury
LA INDUSTRIA Y EL UALOR SE UNIRAN EN DEFENSA DEL MONARCA.
On the exergue, in three lines
TOMAS SURIA EN        MEXICO, AGOSTO     DE 1809

This proclamation medal dated 1809 was minted by the commerce of the City of Mexico. On its obverse Ferdinand VII and the reverse showing Mars, god of war and Mercury, god of commerce. This piece was engraved by Tomas de Suria.

On 21 October 809 the Guatemala gazette publishes the following notice:
"Prospectus for a medal to manifest to prosperity the praiseworthy disposition of the commerce of New Spain to taking arms to the defence of the most beloved of monarchs, Ferdinand VII."

F-30 Silver medal (Stack’s-Bowers Online Auction, 28 February 2020, lot 71224)

F 30A Bronze medal (Stack’s-Bowers Online Auction, 19 May 2023 , lot 70164)

The only medal minted on behalf of the Mexico City Consulate is that of the return of Ferdinand VII dated 1814. On the obverse is the bust of the king but on the reverse for the first time the coat of arms of the Consulate disappears and in its place remains only Mercury. The medal was engraved by P.U. Rodríguez.

Iturbide

The Consulate in Guadalajara, established by royal decree of 6 June 1795, had elected as its first Prior Juan Lopez Portillo and as Consuls Ignacio de Estrada and Juan José Camboro. They did not mint any proclamation pieces for Charles IV or Ferdinand VII. But once Mexico became independent, they enthusiastically organized great festivities beginning on 11December 1822 for the proclamation of emperor Agustín de lturbide.

[images needed]

Obverse, a a bust of Agustín, in a uniform dress coat with a high collar, wearing an ermine robe of Stare and the Gran Collar
and sash of the Orden Imperial de Guadalupe..
AGUSTIN PRIMER EMP         CONSTITUCIONAL  D M
Reverse, within an ornate border, above floral adornments and below a radiant crown, in four lines
EL CONSULADO   NACIONAL DE   GUADALAXARA   1822
Engraver, on the obverse, below the bust
V MEDINA F

The Consulate ordered medals struck and distributed as follows: six gold and 12 silver for the emperor, two gold and four silver for the Captain General, one gold and four silver for the bishop and four of silver each for the provincial deputies, six for the intendent, six for the constitutional mayor of first election and four each for the members of town hall, three for the dean and two each for the capitulars, three for the minister in charge and two each for the remaining members of the court; three for the university, four for the Consulate, one for each chief and employee in public office and other authorities and several to be thrown to the public at the act of the swearing-in ceremony. This piece was engraved by someone called Medina.

lturbide dernanded compulsory loans from the consulates of the newborn Mexican empire to the tune of 600.000 pesos and in order to guarantee the payment of the loan, he granted the Consulates a right to collect 2 % of all minted silver and gold from all custom agencies. But when lturbide fell, the Consulates had to give up collecting the loan and on top of it all the sovereign congress now solicited a new loan from the Consulates.

When the Mexican Constitution was proclaimed in 1824, these institutions carne to a close, as in a decree by the Congress of 16 October 1824 all mercantile courts were to cease their existence, thereby ending 234 years of life for the Consulate in Mexico.

(based on Carlos Ruiz T, Proclamation Medals from the Consulate in Mexico, 1980)

The Proof Re-Strike and Mule Proclamation Medals Of Mexico: the story of Father Augustin Fischer and George Steele Skilton

by Kent Ponterio

Zamora Proclamation Medal Proof Re-strike
(Image courtesy of Dan Sedwick)

Throughout history many world mints have re-struck coins from resurrected genuine dies. For instance, along with other re-strikes, the United States produced the famous 1804 Dollars, which were re-struck on multiple occasions. Russia observed similar practices by issuing Novodel re-strikes long after the originals. In some cases new dies were created when the originals were non-existent. The practice of re-striking coins to meet demand from collectors took place in many countries over the years, including Mexico in the 19th century.

I first became aware of proof re-strikes and mules of the Spanish Colonial proclamation medals while cataloguing an extensive collection in the mid 1990s. The collection came to us meticulously sorted and stored in red velvet trays, among which were two trays filled with medals that were clearly of different manufacture. Many pieces that are traditionally found with milled edges were, in this case, produced with plain edges, struck out of collar and were inconsistent in weight. Several were also on oversized planchets with uneven rims, struck on polished blanks from polished dies stuck in proof. Further, many were unpublished mules made from obverse and reverse dies from different cities. Many of the pieces remain uncatalogued in the standard references by Grove, Medina and Hererra. When I inquired about the origin of these pieces I was told they were re-strikes made for Father Fischer, the priest who was confessor to the Emperor Maximilian.

 

The first mention of these pieces is in the April 1891 Scott Stamp and Coin Company Ltd of New York auction of the Father Augustin Fischer Collection of Coins, Medals and Tokens of Mexico. At first the catalogue does not seem like much, as it is a small 51-page pamphlet containing some 800 lots of Mexican material. The descriptions are brief at best with only a handful of items illustrated via engravings rather than photographs. Recently I was fortunate to obtain an original copy of the catalogue from David Sklow’s January 2013 numismatic book auction. As a reference the catalogue is not of great importance, however there is a small section imbedded at the end titled “restrikes and mules” that sheds quite a bit of light on a subject that otherwise remains unexplained in Mexican numismatics. Page 48 of the catalogue is the only place that to my knowledge talks about these pieces at any length. The description is brief and contains some inaccuracy regarding dating and origin, however it sheds some insight on these pieces. The introduction to the catalogue gives a brief biography of the collector Father Fischer:

Father Fischer was born at Wurttemberg, Germany, about 1820 and died in the City Mexico in 1887. During the Empire he was Minister of the Household and a Confessor to Maximilian. He was Minister Plenipotentiary to Rome under the Emperor in 1865. He possessed one of the best Libraries of Spanish Americana in the western world, and those in correspondence with him found he had a remarkable collection of Coins.

Father Fischer’s ties to Maximilian extend far beyond the role of confessor to the emperor. He was often found in the same small social circles and was in fact imprisoned at the same time as the late emperor. The Fischer collection was purchased by Scott Stamp and Coin via private treaty in October of 1890 from a gentleman who bought the collection in Mexico. By this time parts of the collection had already been dispersed, however it still contained 50 re-strike proclamation medals, 35 of which were mules.

After the sale of the Fischer collection 34 years passed before there was further mention of re-strikes and mules in the numismatic literature. In June of 1925 the Elder Coin & Curio Corporation auctioned the collection of the late George Steele Skilton which is the only other catalogue I am aware of that makes mention of such pieces. The 118-page Skilton catalogue contains some 3,214 lots and is text only with no illustrations. Arranged in chronological order more than 50 proclamation medals are described as either “restrike”, “restrike proof”, “proof” or “muling” and are interspersed with the regular proclamations. George Steele Skilton was born 25 November 1845 in Troy, New York. From 1865 to 1868 he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. Following graduation he moved to Mexico and remained there until 1886. His time in Mexico was spent predominantly working in the railroad industry for the Mexican Railroad Company (1871-1872), the Mexican Central Railroad (1874-1876 and again 1880-1882) and the Sinaloa and Durango Railroad Company (1884-1886).

The Skilton family papers, 1845-1917, housed in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute archives, shed further light. The papers focus on the careers of the three Skilton brothers James, Julius and George, all natives of Troy and graduates of the Institute. All three brothers were involved with the U.S. and Mexico Claims Commission and the Mexican Consulate.

Dr. Julius Augustus Skilton graduated from the Institute in 1849 with a Bachelor of Natural Science and went on to get an A.M. from Wesleyan University and a M.D. from Albany Medical College. He practiced medicine in Troy until the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War when he enlisted as a surgeon. After the Civil War Julius traveled on assignment to Mexico for the New York Herald. He escorted Mexican President Benito Juárez back to Mexico from New Orleans and proceeded to assist with his restoration of Mexican rule. Julius was commissioned to exhume and examine the body of Maximilian before it was sent back to Austria. Julius was largely responsible for the release of Father Fischer and other members of the Austrian nobility from prison following Maximilian’s execution. He was the recipient of several gifts from Father Fischer for aiding in his release from prison, among which was a portrait of the late emperor as well as an elaborate saddle presented to the emperor by the Mexican people in 1864.

Page 48 of the 1891 Scott Stamp and Coin Catalogue of the Fischer Collection

Now the question arises as to when exactly were “the restrikes and mules” produced and for whom. While the 1891 description from the Scott Stamp and Coin catalogue above gives some insight, the information is incomplete and speculative. It is important to note that the information published in the Scott catalogue came to them third hand (at best) from the previous owner of the collection. The biography of Father Fischer from the 1891 Scott catalogue states: “To what extent his coins, medals and books were culled before they reached New York, we are unable to state.” Examination of the Skilton collection leads me to suggest that it was somewhere in the 50% range, at least for the medals. The combined number of “restrikes and mules” listed in the Fischer (1891) and Skilton (1925) auction catalogues is just over 100 pieces, roughly 50 in each collection.

In my opinion these “restrikes and mules” were neither produced in the 1880s, nor were they produced for an American collector. Rather they were struck specifically for Father Augustin Fischer sometime in the mid 1860s. His close relationship with Maximilian gave him access to the mint in order to have pieces produced for his collection. We know that after Fischer was freed from prison he gave several items to Julius Augustus Skilton in gratitude for his assistance. This might explain the “culling” of the Fischer collection mentioned in the 1891 Scott catalogue, as coins and medals were surely among those gifts. George Steele Skilton did not arrive in Mexico until sometime after his graduation from Rensselaer in 1868 and he would have acquired the medals from his brother sometime after that. Further, Father Fischer died in 1887 and George Skilton left Mexico in 1886, having not added to his collection since 1881. Thus, the suggested date of 1885 is impossible.

One thing is for certain, the “proof re-strikes” are extremely rare. In most cases they are rarer than the originals, of course with the exception of the “mules” for which originals do not exist.

Mexico City Proclamation Medal of Charles IV Proof Re-strike
(image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)

The above pictured medal is quite interesting in terms of what evidence it provides in regards to the proof re-strikes. First, it is struck with a plain edge rather than the normal colonial edge found on this issue. Second, it is struck in the weight of 22.19gms rather than on a standard 8 Reales planchet of 27gms which is the norm for denominated proclamations of this nature. The third and perhaps most interesting factor is that the obverse is struck over a medal of the next king. Underneath the name of “CARLOS” for Charles IV is a very clear “FERNANDO” for Ferdinand VII who would not be king until nearly two decades after this medal is dated. There is no clear evidence of overstriking on the reverse. It would seem that the initial medal was a mule – Ferdinand VII obverse with a Charles IV reverse. This error must have been noticed immediately, as only the obverse die was changed during the overstrike.

Enlargement of the Mexico City Proclamation Medal of Charles IV Proof Re-strike
The obverse is clearly struck over a later medal of Ferdinand VII
(image courtesy of Heritage Auctions)