The obverse bears standing Liberty, facing, holding long sword in her right and flaming torch of Freedom in her left hand; in background, clouds and rising sun. Around bottom, ALIS VOLAT PROPRIIS
The reverse bears wreath of laurels at left and oak leaves at right. In center, LA / REPUBLICA MEXICANA / EN EL / PRIMER · CENTENARIO / DE LA / PROCLAMACION · DE / SU · INDEPENDENCIA / 1810 - 1910; signed at lower left, TIFFANY & CO
Mexico marks its independence from Spain with the beginning of the armed struggle against colonial rule. On September 16, 1810, the secular Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo called independence fighters and indigenous inhabitants of Dolores to take up arms against the government. The armed struggle ended 11 years later with the formal declaration of independence on September 27, 1821.
The Latin phrase on the obverse translates to:
"She flies with her own wings,"
a phrase popular with independence movements and coincidentally also the state motto of Oregon.
The circular medal measures 90.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by Tiffany & Co. of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: Marqusee 385