^Lot 1422 MEXICO, large silver medal, Charles IV, 1796, "Caballito" Statue erected by the Marquis of Brancifor

MEXICO, large silver medal, Charles IV, 1796, "Caballito" Statue erected by the Marquis of Branciforte in honor of the king, by G.A. Gil. Grove-C-267; Fonrobert-6435. 115.34 grams. 60 mm. Obverse with conjoined busts of Charles IV and Queen Maria Luisa facing right within legend CAROLO * IV * ET * ALOISIAE * HISP * ET * IND * RR * AA *, with MARCH · DE BRANCIFORTE ·/ NOV · HISP · PROREX · C · F · ET · D · MEX · AN · 1796 · below; reverse with equestrian statue of Charles IV flanked by MARCH · LA · GRUA/ BRANCIFORTE ·/ PROREX ·/ SUAE ·/ FIDELIT · to left and MARCH · DE ·/ NOV · HISP · MEXICANAEQUE / H · M · P · to right, all within legend CAROLO * IV * PIO * BENEF * / * HISP * ET * IND * REGI *, AN · 1796 · in exergue; smooth edge. An imposing large-format medal commemorating the celebrated monument later known to Mexicans as “El Caballito,” or “The Little Horse,” in reference to an equestrian statue erected by the Marquis of Branciforte in honor of the king. Charles IV was notably unpopular in Mexico, lending the familiar nickname a distinctly local character. The statue was removed from its original site in 1824 and relocated in 1852 to its present location. Bold AU with a little friction on the high points of the design, nice lustrous fields covered with vibrant blue, red, and golden toning, minor marks. Note: The bronze version of this medal can be found as lot 1915 in the Express session of this auction.