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

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

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

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.158

Description

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.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Made/Created

Date made

1984

Time Period

1980s

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

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).

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

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

Material Notes

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.

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Relationships

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Research Notes

Notes

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

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

April 20, 2026

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 18, 2026