History

The Medal for Esmeralda (Medalla por Esmeralda), also known as the Medal of Papudo (Medalla de Papudo), was authorized by the government of Bolivia in recognition of the Chilean military personnel who participated at the Chincha Islands War, where the Chilean ship "Esmeralda" overcame the Spanish vessel "Covadonga" at the Bolivian port of Papudo on November 26, 1865.

The Chincha Islands War was a series of naval engagement between the Latin America Pacific Coast countries against to invading Spanish fleets.

It is not clear if the composition of the Medal denotes the rank of the recipient.

There are two different designs of this Medal, there are, a roundish Medal, and a Cross.

The Medal was awarded to the relatives of those who died in campaign.

The Medal features an obverse inscription that can be translate to "Bolivia to the Braves of Esmeralda," and a reverse inscription that can be translate to "Papudo November 26, 1865."