Catalog Reference

Castrobeza, p. 327
Grove-K-11a
Herrera, Charles III, 80
Medina-90
O'Crowley, p. 407

Engraver: A. B. Madero
Composition: Silver
Size: 42.0 mm
Weight: 23.436 grams

The obverse of Medina-90, the La Universidad medal, shows an armored and draped bust of Charles III facing right. The reverse features the Arms of the Royal Mexican Pontifical Academy. The shield in the center shows two castle turrets and two lions, each placed diagonally from each other. The rector of the University, Manuel Ignacio Beye de Cisneros, vowed on September 25, 1761 that the university would be a loyal vassal to the new King. This was consummated with a medal to commemorate such a joyous day. In a letter written from Ignacio Beye de Cisneros to Charles III, he says (in a loose translation): "The loyal friends of the academic vassals of Your Majesty are rejoicing for your exaltation to the Spanish Throne. Your Majesty, we reverently consecrate to you the medals that give us perpetual memories of this happy day. These medals have been sculpted in the image of Your Majesty as the object of our venerations."

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the January 2015 NYINC Auction, where it realized $1,057.