LOT   /  Treasure and World Coin Auction # 16  / 

966

Quito, Ecuador, uniface gold military decoration commemorating the liberation of Quito in 1822 (Batt

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Exonumia - Medals Start Price:24,000.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Quito, Ecuador, uniface gold military decoration commemorating the liberation of Quito in 1822 (Batt
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Quito, Ecuador, uniface gold military decoration commemorating the liberation of Quito in 1822 (Battle of Pichincha), extremely rare and very important. Historia de los Premios Militares, Vol. III (1908), pages 79-81. Similar to one shown in South American Decorations and War Medals by Gillingham (1932), page 132. 10.91 grams and 1-1/4" diameter, 1" oval at top. A round medal with twelve, connected rays under a separate laurel wreath, with radiant sunface over Ecuadorian mountain chain in center, legend LIBERTADOR DE QUITO and ANO DE 1822. The creation of this gold medal was decreed by Antonio Sucre by order of Simón Bolívar in Quito on May 29, 1822 specifically for the Colombian and Ecuadorian generals in charge on the battlefield in 1822. This magnificent piece is in excellent condition and should be considered the crown jewel of the entire Pichincha commemoration. The Battle of Pichincha (May 24, 1822)
The Battle of Pichincha, on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano near Quito, Ecuador, was a pivotal conflict in the South American wars of Independence and set the stage for the final push to take Peru and drive the Spanish from the continent. It was also one of the most diverse in terms of troop nationalities.
In simple terms, the Battle of Pichincha was patriots versus royalists, the former led by General Antonio José de Sucre, sent by Simón Bolívar to lead the people of Guayaquil, who had declared independence in 1820, in a campaign to liberate Quito, the seat of Spanish government for the region under Peru. Bolívar felt a sense of urgency to incorporate the area into newly liberated Colombia, for the people of Guayaquil were deciding whether to join Peru instead or even set up their own Republic. On the royalist side was the Spanish general Don Melchor de Aymerich. The Ecuadorians were joined in their march to Quito by troops from Colombia and Argentina, as well as Peruvian and Chilean troops formerly under the command of the southern liberator of Peru, José de San Martín. Even some British and French troops contributed to the patriot cause. The two sides met, somewhat to each other’s surprise, on the steep slopes of the mountain, where the battle was fought and concluded in just three hours’ time. Aymerich retreated, and the next day Quito surrendered to Sucre and the patriots. The next month, Bolívar himself came to Quito and declared it officially part of the Republic of Colombia.
Although Sucre was already considered a very able commander, the Battle of Pichincha solidified his reputation as one of the top rebel military officers. The Battle of Pichincha also marked the military appearance of a most remarkable woman: Manuela Sáenz. Manuela was a native quiteña who had lived in Lima for a time and had been involved in the independence movement there. She joined Sucre’s forces, fighting in the battle and spending her own money on food and medicine for the troops. She was awarded the rank of lieutenant and would go on to become an important cavalry commander in subsequent battles, eventually reaching the rank of colonel. She is better known today for what happened shortly after the war: She met Simón Bolívar and they fell in love.
On May 29, General Sucre decreed that the Battle of Pichincha should be commemorated by the issuance in Quito of several important military decorations, specifically gold ones for the leading officers on the battlefield. A similar decree on July 1 led to the creation of different medals struck in Lima.
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