1 peso 1958

Common. This is a regular-issue banknote from a major denomination of the Mexican currency system in 1958, with substantial print runs evident from the catalog series (HC-HL range). The eBay market data confirms common status, with UNC examples selling for approximately $4.19 as of 2023, and catalog values at only $2.50 for UNC—price points consistent with readily available banknotes. Multiple variants exist within the P-59 designation, further indicating large production quantities.

Issued in 1958 by Banco de Mexico, this note commemorates Mexico's pre-Columbian heritage through the prominent Aztec Sun Stone, a symbol of indigenous cultural pride during a period of national development and modernization. The Independence Monument depicted on the reverse reflects Mexico's commemoration of its 1810 independence movement, reinforcing nationalist themes prevalent in mid-20th century Mexican banknote design. The August 20, 1958 issue date places this note during Mexico's post-war economic expansion under President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines.

The obverse features Mexico's most iconic pre-Columbian symbol, the Aztec Sun Stone (Calendar Stone), rendered as a large circular central motif with intricate concentric circles depicting the 20 day-signs and cosmological glyphs of the Aztec calendar system. This is surrounded by ornamental medallions in all four corners and decorative architectural scrollwork that frames text panels on both sides. The reverse depicts the Monument to Independence (Monumento a la Independencia), a classical tower structure with ornate architectural detailing, centered against a light field and framed by baroque-style floral and scrollwork ornamentations. Both sides carry the Banco de Mexico name, denomination, and official signatures of government banking officials (Consejero, Interventor, and Cajero), along with the American Bank Note Company printer's imprint.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO DE MEXICO' (Bank of Mexico); 'PAGARA A LA VISTA AL PORTADOR EN EFECTIVO' (Will pay to bearer on sight in cash); 'SERIE HK' (Series HK); 'MEXICO D.F.' (Mexico City); '20-VIII-58' (August 20, 1958); 'CONSEJERO' (Counselor); 'INTERVENTOR DE LA COMISION BANCARIA' (Comptroller of the Banking Commission); 'CAJERO' (Cashier); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company); Serial number 'A759958'. BACK SIDE: 'BANCO DE MEXICO' (Bank of Mexico); 'UN PESO' (One Peso); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing) executed by American Bank Note Company (ABNC), evidenced by the fine line work, intricate guilloché patterns in ornamental sections, and detailed architectural rendering visible throughout the design. The layered color printing combines black and red inks on the obverse and deep rose/burgundy on the reverse over multicolor underprints, characteristic of ABNC's security printing methods from this period.

This note is identified as Pick catalog P-59d, distinguished from its predecessors (like P-56) by the addition of 'MEXICO D.F.' printed above the date at the lower left of the obverse. The series designation visible on the note reads 'HK,' placing it within the HC-HL series range noted in the catalog. The obverse date reads '20-VIII-58' (August 20, 1958). Related variants within the P-59 classification include P-59c, P-59e, P-59j, P-59l, and P-59s, indicating this denomination saw multiple printings and design iterations. All known variants carry the ABNC printer attribution.