1950 U.S. Mint Medal for the Visit of Chilean President Gabriel González Videla. Bronze. MS-65 (PCGS).76 mm. <strong>Obv:</strong> Federal eagle surrounded by two legends. Outer legend GABRIEL GONZALEZ VIDELA / PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE, inner legend TO COMMEMORATE HIS VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMRERICA 1950. <strong>Rev:</strong> Two allegorical figures, female with book, male with sword, date 1810 below, peripheral legend POR LA RAZON O LA FUERZA, artists initials SW in exergue. Handsome deep golden-bronze patina with a few wispy carbon flecks that do not detract. Accompanied by the original maroon exterior, green plush interior case, which is fully functional and shows only a few minor external scuffs.<p>González Videla served as the 24th president of Chile from November 3, 1946 to November 3, 1952. While his first cabinets, between 1946 and 1948, included Communist ministers, the international Cold War and Chiles internal troubles soon pushed him toward the right as the United States and, to a lesser extent the Soviet Union, meddled in his countrys affairs. He eventually outlawed the Communists, likely to appease the United States. The U.S. certainly encouraged a crackdown on Chilean Communists, and Washington appreciated González Videlas actions and thereafter expanded the scope of its loans, investments, and technical missions to Chile. The United States and Chile also agreed to a military assistance pact while González Videla was president. The visit which this medal commemorates represents the closer ties established between these two nations. This is the first example of the type that we can recall offering. (Total: 1 medal; 1 case)From the Collection of Nellie Tayloe Ross, Director of the U.S. Mint, 1933-1953.
