Mexico. 1969 Advisory Council of Mexico City, Mexico Medal. Bronze. Awarded to Mr. Edwin E Aldrin. About Uncirculated. 40 mm (medal only), 120 mm total length with ribbon and hanger. <strong>Obv</strong>: enameled Mexico City coat of arms at center, CONSEJO CONSULTIVO / DE LA / CIUDAD DE MEXICO Y DEL D.F. around.<strong> Rev</strong>: AL SENOR / EDWIN E. ALDRIN / HEROE DEL ESPACIO. / LA CIUDAD DE MEXICO. / 29 - IX - 1969. <strong>Edge</strong>: plain. Suspended by a green, white and red grosgrain ribbon from a pinback suspension bar with a Mexican golden eagle devouring a rattlesnake atop a bar of blue enamel and gold lettering reading HUESPED DE HONOR. The back of the bar is unmarked. A fair amount of enamel loss is noted on the Mexico City coat of arms, but this is primarily limited to the yellow color, most of which has chipped away. A tiny enamel chip is also noted in the blue background on the suspension bar at the top left corner. With very limited handling marks seen otherwise, we suspect the enamel loss is a result of manufacturing flaws vs. careless handling. Housed in a black leather clamshell case with a seemingly original paper card taped to the top with the name EDWIN E. ALDRIN typed onto it. The interior is plush black and white silk with a golden seal of Mexico printed on the white silk. Mexico City was the first city of a worldwide Giant Leap goodwill tour for the Apollo 11 astronauts for which President Nixon supplied Air Force 2 to be at their disposal. The men, donning sombreros and ponchos, were eagerly greeted by thousands of Mexicans lining the streets in a parade. The chaotic scene would be repeated again and again over the next 38 days as they visited an additional 21 countries and met with numerous world leaders. From the Wendy and Harris Lefkon Collection.
