Mexico! 1-ounce silver medal, 1992, 450th anniversary of the founding of San Miguel de Allende.

Mexico! 1-ounce silver medal, 1992, 450th anniversary of the founding of San Miguel de Allende.

Size: 42 mm diameter

Weight: 34 gr.

OBVERSE

Fundador Fr. Juan de San Miguel

REVERSE

San Miguel de Allende GTO 1542 - 1992 MO

This medal was presented to the guests of the city committee in honor of Fr. Juan de San Miguel, marking the 450th anniversary of the founding of the city of San Miguel de Allende.

The city was founded in 1542 by the Franciscan friar Fray Juan de San Miguel, who named the settlement San Miguel el Grande. It served as an important waypoint on the *Camino Real* (Royal Road)—part of the "silver route" that connected to Zacatecas.

The town played a prominent role during the Mexican War of Independence. Ignacio Allende, a native of San Miguel, was a key leader in the struggle against Spanish rule. After being captured while marching toward the United States in search of arms, he was tried in Chihuahua, sentenced, and executed by firing squad. His head was displayed on one of the corners of the *Alhóndiga de Granaditas* in Guanajuato, alongside those of Miguel Hidalgo, Juan Aldama, and Mariano Jiménez. On March 8, 1826, the town of San Miguel el Grande was elevated to the status of a city and renamed "San Miguel de Allende" in honor of the national hero.