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Bronze commemorative medal, 465th anniversary of the founding of Havana (1519–1984) — Museo de la Ciudad / Oficina del Historiador

Object/Artifact

A circular bronze (or bronzed metal) commemorative medal with a dark patinated field and raised polished relief. The obverse shows El Templete — the neoclassical temple in Havana's Plaza de Armas — with the adjacent ceiba tree, encircled by the legend "FUNDACION DE LA CIUDAD DE LA HABANA" above and "465 ANIVERSARIO" below, with the dates "1519 — 1984" across the lower field. The reverse bears the coat of arms of the City of Havana — three castle-towers (for the Morro, La Punta/La Fuerza fortifications) above a crossed key (the "Key to the New World"), flanked by flags — encircled by "MUSEO DE LA CIUDAD" above and "OFICINA DEL HISTORIADOR" below. Small relief marks/initials appear at the lower obverse edge (engraver/mint marks; not clearly legible). The medal is uniface-relief on both sides with raised rims.

Bronze commemorative medal, 465th anniversary of the founding of Havana (1519–1984) — Museo de la Ciudad / Oficina del Historiador Bronze commemorative medal, 465th anniversary of the founding of Havana (1519–1984) — Museo de la Ciudad / Oficina del Historiador Bronze commemorative medal, 465th anniversary of the founding of Havana (1519–1984) — Museo de la Ciudad / Oficina del Historiador - Image 2 Bronze commemorative medal, 465th anniversary of the founding of Havana (1519–1984) — Museo de la Ciudad / Oficina del Historiador - Image 2
Bronze commemorative medal, 465th anniversary of the founding of Havana (1519–1984) — Museo de la Ciudad / Oficina del Historiador - Image 2

2025.1.158

The Cabrera Arús family collection

2025.1

1984

1980s

Havana

Cuba

Caribbean

Central America

Maker: Issued by the Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana (City Historian's Office) through the Museo de la Ciudad, Havana — as named on the reverse. The City Historian's Office was founded in 1939 (by Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring; later directed by Eusebio Leal Spengler) and operates the Museo de la Ciudad. The specific mint/engraver is not identified (small marks at the obverse edge are not legibly resolved).

Obverse: "FUNDACION DE LA CIUDAD DE LA HABANA"; "465 ANIVERSARIO"; "1519 — 1984"; relief of El Templete and ceiba tree; small edge marks/initials (engraver/mint; not legibly resolved). Reverse: "MUSEO DE LA CIUDAD"; "OFICINA DEL HISTORIADOR"; coat of arms of Havana (three towers, crossed key, flags).

Materials: Bronze or bronzed metal (patinated, with polished relief highlights). Technique: Die-struck (or cast) metal medal with relief obverse and reverse and applied/aged patina.

Good

Havana

Cuba

Caribbean

Central America

The small marks at the lower obverse edge may identify the engraver or mint; a closer image could resolve them and add attribution.