Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
Collector's Choice February 2021 Auction 22-25 Feb 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
MEXICO. United States - Mexico. President Eisenhower in Acapulco Engraved Memento on 50 Pesos, 1959. NEARLY EXTREMELY FINE.
cf. Fr-172 (for host coin); cf. KM-481 (same). Utilizing the massive 50 Pesos as its host, this engraved memento commemorates the visit of then-president Dwight Eisenhower to Acapulco in February 1959, meeting with then-president of Mexico, Adolfo Lopez Mateos. While the reverse retains the normal 50 Pesos eagle design, the obverse has been completely shaved down, presenting a blank canvas to the engraver who skillfully etched the following in four lines: "ACAPULCO, GRO. / Dwight Eisenhower / A Mateos / II - 19 - 59." The top line, curving in a semi-circular arrangement around the upper border, indicates the location of the meeting--the Hotel Pierre Marques in Acapulco, Guerrero--while the bottom line, similarly curving around the lower border, relates the timing of the event. What is even more remarkable is the manner in which each president's signature is rendered, with the engraver mimicking the exact penmanship of the respective leaders in the two central lines reading horizontally. For additional use in wearing, a clasp was added at the top.
cf. Fr-172 (for host coin); cf. KM-481 (same). Utilizing the massive 50 Pesos as its host, this engraved memento commemorates the visit of then-president Dwight Eisenhower to Acapulco in February 1959, meeting with then-president of Mexico, Adolfo Lopez Mateos. While the reverse retains the normal 50 Pesos eagle design, the obverse has been completely shaved down, presenting a blank canvas to the engraver who skillfully etched the following in four lines: "ACAPULCO, GRO. / Dwight Eisenhower / A Mateos / II - 19 - 59." The top line, curving in a semi-circular arrangement around the upper border, indicates the location of the meeting--the Hotel Pierre Marques in Acapulco, Guerrero--while the bottom line, similarly curving around the lower border, relates the timing of the event. What is even more remarkable is the manner in which each president's signature is rendered, with the engraver mimicking the exact penmanship of the respective leaders in the two central lines reading horizontally. For additional use in wearing, a clasp was added at the top.
The meeting between the two presidents involved conversations about the cotton trade, the vast disparity in the standards of living between the two nations, the rapidly growing population of Mexico, and economic investments in Mexico by American businesses. Given the numerous collecting interests for an item like the present piece--collectors of the 50 Pesos series, aficionados of presidential memorabilia, and those who seek out the uniqueness presented by engraved coin art--this memento from the final year of the '50's should undoubtedly evoke a great deal of fanfare.
Estimate: $2200.00- $2600.00