Round Religious Medal Pendant of Our Lady of Guadalupe

This item is a small, circular religious medal pendant, likely depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe in the center. The pendant is crafted from a gold-toned metal, which may be yellow gold or a gold-plated base metal such as brass or silver. The central image features a raised relief figure set against a textured, possibly pebbled, background, enclosed by a decorative border. This border appears to have a scalloped or filigree pattern that adds a delicate, ornamental touch. The pendant is relatively small, as shown by its size relative to the palm of a hand, and includes a simple, polished metal bail at the top for attachment to a chain. The overall condition looks good with no visible major damage, though there may be minor surface scratches typical of wear. The style is classic devotional jewelry, likely dating from the late 20th or early 21st century. The craftsmanship shows attention to detail in the relief work and the intricate border, common in mass-produced religious tokens of moderate quality. While there are no visible maker's marks or fineness stamps in this low-resolution image, these are often found on the reverse side or the bail of such pieces.

Based on my visual examination of this Our Lady of Guadalupe religious medal, I have assessed the piece as a contemporary devotional pendant, likely manufactured between 1990 and the present. The item features a stamped relief of the Virgin Mary with a scalloped open-work border. While the gold-toned finish is uniform, the lack of visible hallmarking in the photograph suggests this is either high-quality gold plating (vermeil) over sterling silver or a gold-filled base metal. The condition is excellent, showing minor surface oxidation consistent with light handling. The market for religious medals is robust but heavily saturated with mass-produced items. Comparables for non-solid gold Guadalupe medals of this size typically range between $20 and $100 depending on the base metal. This specific piece lacks the hand-carved nuances of high-end antique talismans, placing it in the category of decorative or everyday devotional jewelry rather than a rare collector's item. Key value drivers include the intricate 'lace' border design and the popularity of the iconography, which remains in high demand. However, the primary limitation of this appraisal is the inability to verify metal fineness through imaging. To finalize this valuation, a physical inspection is required to check for '14K' or '925' stamps on the reverse or bail. If the piece is confirmed via acid testing or XRF analysis to be solid 14-karat gold, the value would increase significantly to approximately $250–$400 based on current gold spot prices. Professional provenance or original jeweler packaging would further refine this estimate.