CNG 96, Lot: 1457. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MEXICO, Colonial. Fernando VII. King of Spain, 1808-1833. AR Proclamation Medal (55mm, 54.98 g, 12h). Commemorating the Battle of Monte de las Cruces. By F. Gordillo. Dated 30 October 1810. FERNANDO • VII • REY D ESPANA • E INDIAS around the central oval medallion, which contains a bust of Ferdinand right, wearing an ornate coat and the Order of the Golden Fleece; the medallion is supported by a cherub (Prudence) and a lion (Courage), both seated on clouds, and rays emanate from the medallion; below, Royalist soldiers in battle formation with the insurgent soldiers in the background; in the exergue, 30 • DE OCTUBRE D 1810 • / F• Gordillo f. Mo (mintmark) in two lines / * / AL / EXMO • SOR • VENEGAS / AL REGIMIENTO / DE LAS TRES VILLAS / Y DEMAS TROPAS / QUE CON SUS COMANDANTES / TRUXILLO MENDIVIL Y BRINGAS / SOSTUVIERON / LA GLORIOSA ACCION / DEL MONTE De LAS CRUCES / VERACRUZ in eleven lines; all within a rope or cord border. Grove F-198a. EF, or better, attractively toned, minor marks.

Ex Walter E. Heightshoe Collection (Coin Galleries, 20 October 2010), lot 3173.

A wonderfully executed medal commemorating the victory of Royalist troops commanded by Truxillo, Mendivil, and Bringas at the Battle of Monte de las Cruces. The only problem is that the Royalist forces lost this battle! “The Battle of Monte de las Cruces was one of the pivotal battles of the early Mexican War of Independence. It was fought between the insurgent troops of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and Ignacio Allende against the royalist troops of General Torcuato Trujillo in the Sierra de las Cruces mountains between Mexico City and Toluca. The battle marks the furthest advance of the first rebel campaign, before Hidalgo decided to retreat toward Guadalajara, and not attack Mexico City, despite the fact that he won the battle.” (Wikipedia entry for the Battle of Monte de las Cruces) To be fair, the insurgents suffered heavy losses, with approximately 2,000 troops dead, and many more wounded, which probably led to Hidalgo’s eventual decision to retreat rather than attack Mexico City.