^Lot 1915 MEXICO, large bronze medal, Charles IV, 1796, "Caballito" statue erected by the Marquis of Brancifor

MEXICO, large bronze medal, Charles IV, 1796, "Caballito" statue erected by the Marquis of Branciforte in honor of the king, by G.A. Gil, ex-Medina. Grove-C-267b. 83.74 grams. 59 mm. Obverse with Charles IV and Queen Maria Luisa facing right under 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 · MEXICANABQUE/ H · M · P · to right 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. Near Mint State, mostly toned brown but with some hints of original red mint luster around the reverse. Note: The silver version of this medal can be found as lot 1422 in the floor session of this auction. Pedigreed to the José T. Medina Collection.