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The origins of the UNAM numismatic collection are dated from 1778, when Jeronimo Antonio Gil arrived in New Spain from the San Fernando Academy in Madrid, as a Principal Engraver of the Casa de Moneda (Coin House).
However, there are medals made in the 16th Century, which were minted in Mexico's Coin House, ordered by the so known Real and Pontificia Universidad de Mexico. About 1400 medals and coins, integrating the university collection, offer a real testimony of the most important events in our UNAM history.
One part of that collection is known as a group of historic medals, a valuable sign of the university medal tradition. Today, the UNAM is one of the institutions in Mexico with a permanent engraving program of commemorative medals. On the one hand, there is a group of pieces used for the recognition of different authorities, professors and university students. On the other hand, some medals have been engraved to be offered to the general public as part of some memorable event celebration.
It is important to mention that there are engraved works made in the last decades by important artists, such as Mathias Goeritz, Helen Escobedo, Arnaldo Cohen, Manuel Felguerez, Vicente Rojo, Francisco Toledo and Federico Silva, among others. Art pieces with high quality are continuing Jeronimo Antonio Gil's artistic tradition.
Some of the University collection's medals are the following: |
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HISTORIC MEDALS |
The oldest medal known was elaborated in 1555, celebrating the marriage of Prince Felipe with Queen Maria Tudor. A medal engraved by Jacome Trezzo. Another exceptional piece was minted in 1760 to commemorate Carlos III’s oath, found on the obverse side and the King’s profile is on the reverse, surrounded by the words NOVUS MIHI NASCITUR ORDO (a new order of things is born for me).
In 1788, Jeronimo Antonio Gil elaborated a medal to celebrate the foundation of San Carlos Academy, which has the bust of Carlos III in the obverse, surrounded by the words CAROLUS III HISPANIARUM ET INDIARUM REX MEXICANA ACADEMIA FUDATORIA SUO, and a sepulcher under the legend QUI INGENUAS REVOCAVIT ARTES on the reverse. This medal was re-minted to celebrate the bicentennial of the foundation of the Schools of Architecture and Visual Arts (1781-1981).
Of the early 19th century, there are some special pieces worthy of mention. In 1808 and 1809, the San Carlos Academy ordered the minting of a medal with the image of Fernando VII. Among other important pieces from this Academy, there is the medal Gil y Mangino, made in 1881 to celebrate the centennial of the School of Fine Arts, which is one of the countless medals that have been elaborated. |
MEDALS FOR RECOGNITION |
| Justo Sierra Medal in University Merit |
It is granted only once individually in recognition of his/her academic or research work, and was designed by Lorenzo Rafael. |
| Gabino Barreda Medal in University Merit |
Elaborated by Lorenzo Rafael. Outstanding under-graduate, graduate and Postgraduate students are awarded this medal. It has Gabino Barreda’s bust on the front. |
| University Merit Medal |
To professors with an exceptional teaching work. Artist Federico Silva depicted an inkpot with geometrical figures on this medal. |
| Gustavo Baz Prada Medal in Social Service |
Designed by Lorenzo Rafael. The student is awarded this medal in every University School for the best performance in his/her social service. |
| Medal awarded to distinguished university members who are part of the review committee |
Manuel Felguérez designed this medal that shows a superimposed half circle, a rectangle, and a triangle. |
| Medal awarded to distinguished university members who are part of the Board of Governors |
Francisco Toledo´s abstract composition shows an owl as a sign of wisdom. |
| Medals awarded to distinguished university members who have participated in the University Council |
Designed by Gunther Gerzso, displaying superimposed large volumes which are intersected |
| Medal awarded to distinguished university members who participate in the Technical Councils |
The obverse shows a cubic geometric figure, elaborated by Arnaldo Cohen. |
| Medal awarded to university members who participate in the internal councils |
Elaborated by Luis López Loza, shows a geometric figure with irregular borders |
| Medal awarded to university members participating in the Board of Governors |
An abstract geometric design of Vicente Rojo. |
| Medal awarded to university members for 25 years of administrative services |
On the obverse is the Tower of the Office of the Director in University City, and on the reverse the UNAM coat of arms |
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| COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS |
| Commemorative medal of the Palacio de Minería restoration project (1977) |
Elaborated by Jorge Chuey, displaying on the obverse the Palacio de Minería façade, and on the reverse a drawing of the building. |
| Commemorative medal of 400 years of the founding of the Real y Pontificia Universidad de México (1951 and re-stroked in 1980) |
Shows two university coats of arms: the current one and the previous one from the 16th century, surrounded by the words NOVUS MIHI NASCITUR ORDO (a new order starts for me) and NOVI LUX ORBIS QUATER SAECULARIS ANIMA PATRIAE (new order’s light, native country’s soul four times secular). |
| Commemorative medal of the Palacio de Medicina restoration project, former Inquisition Palace |
Designed by Lorenzo Rafael in 1980, shows the building’s main façade. |
| Commemorative octagonal medal of 50 years of University autonomy (1929-1979) |
Created by Helen Escobedo, shows the letters UA (Autonomous University in Spanish) in high three-dimensional relief |
| Commemorative medal of the 450 years of the first printing press in México and in the Américas 1539-1989 |
A rectangular piece representing Juan Pablos’ printing press. The engraver was Lorenzo Rafael. |
| Commemorative medal of the 60th anniversary of the University autonomy |
Show on the obverse the building of Rector’s Office in 1929, located between the streets Guatemala and Primo de Verdad. The engraver was Lorenzo Rafael. |
| Commemorative medal of the total eclipse of the sun on July 11th, 1991. |
Designed by Lorenzo Rafael, showing a total eclipse of the sun with the solar wreath, the UNAM coat of arms and a map of Mexico with the eclipse path |
| Commemorative medal of 50 years of the Spanish exile in the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (1939-1989) |
Elaborated by Lorenzo Rafael, surrounded by the words NOSTRIS MAGISTRIS HISPANIS EX EXSILIO PROVENIENTIBUS. |
| Commemorative medal of the 75th anniversary of the University’s national condition |
A seven-sided medal that shows on the obverse a sculpture by the medal’s designer, Sebastian |
| Commemorative medal of 25 years of teaching |
Designed by Lorenzo Rafael, displays on the obverse a chair created in the Middle Ages. One example is at the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, El Generalito hall. |
| Commemorative medal of the 80th anniversary of the University national condition (1910-1990) |
Elaborated by Zoraida Gutierrez, it represents on the obverse the University coat of arms used in 1910, and on the reverse the UNAM current coat of arms used since 1929 |
| Medal of the 50th anniversary of UNAM in San Antonio, Texas (1944-1994) |
Designed by Claudio López, it shows the image of the Square of the Hemisphere entwined with UNAM building in San Antonio |
| Commemorative medal of 50 years of the UNAM Organic law (1945-1995) |
Shows a copy of Rufino Tamayo’s sculpture named "The University as an origin of humanism and wisdom", located in University City sculpture space |
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For information about coins and medals for sale, dial the General Director’s Office of University Properties, of the University Trust, at (52-5) 622-6351 to 57, or fax number (52-5) 665-7290.
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