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Commemorative medal, "Restauración del Centro Histórico — La Habana 1982" — Oficina del Historiador / Museo de la Ciudad
Object/Artifact
A circular silver-colored metal commemorative medal, struck in low relief on both faces. One face (obverse) carries the legend "restauración del centro histórico" above and "la habana 1982" below, around a relief plan/map of the historic center of Old Havana — the street grid of the old walled city beside the harbor channel, with a star-fort device at the harbor entrance. The other face (reverse) bears the coat of arms of the City of Havana (three castle-towers beneath a crown, a key in the lower field, flanked by a laurel/oak wreath), with the legends "oficina del historiador" above and "museo de la ciudad" below. Lettering is in modern lowercase. The medal shows light handling wear and toning.
2025.1.181
The Cabrera Arús family collection
2025.1
1982
1980s
Maker: Issued by the Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana (City Historian's Office; founded 1938/39 — Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring, later Eusebio Leal Spengler) through its Museo de la Ciudad (in the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales) — as named on the reverse. Specific mint/engraver not indicated.
Obverse: "restauración del centro histórico"; "la habana 1982"; relief map of Old Havana's historic center and harbor with a fortress device. Reverse: "oficina del historiador"; "museo de la ciudad"; coat of arms of Havana (three towers, crown, key, wreath).
Materials: Silver-colored metal (bronze or base-metal alloy with light-colored finish; composition not confirmed). Technique: Die-struck metal medal with relief obverse and reverse.
Good
Havana
Cuba
Caribbean
Central America
issuance, acquisition
Commemorates the restoration of Old Havana's historic center, dated 1982 — the year Old Havana (Habana Vieja and its fortifications) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Oficina del Historiador had been assigned the First Restoration Plan for the historic center in 1981, launching the major 1980s rehabilitation campaign led by Eusebio Leal. The obverse map depicts the walled old city and harbor that the campaign targeted.