A large Aztec calendar disc, which played a symbolic role in Mexico’s successful bid to host the 1970 FIFA World Cup, is set to be auctioned with an estimated value of £35,000. The 95-centimeter-wide, five-kilogram copper artifact depicts the face of Tonatiuh, the Aztec sun god, and was presented to then-FIFA president Sir Stanley Rous in 1962. This gesture was part of Mexico’s campaign to bring the World Cup to Latin America for the first time.

The disc has been kept out of public view for six decades and is now being offered by Hanson Auctioneers. David Wilson-Turner, the auction house’s sporting specialist, described the piece as “one of the greatest finds” of his career. He emphasized its rarity, noting that items closely connected to FIFA’s internal decision-making and World Cup awards seldom become available to collectors or the public.

The inscription on the disc acknowledges Sir Stanley Rous and references three Mexican football clubs—América, Atlante, and Necaxa—that were all instrumental in the establishment of Estadio Azteca. The stadium, which gained international prominence during the 1970 tournament, has since become an iconic venue in football history.

The upcoming auction highlights the cultural and historical significance of the item, linking it directly to a pivotal moment in the sport’s global expansion. While £35,000 remains the initial estimate, experts suggest the disc could attract a higher final bid due to its unique provenance and connection to one of the most celebrated World Cup tournaments in history.