1 peso 1961
“25.01.61”
Market Prices
35 salesAbout This Note
This is a stunning uncirculated example of the 1961 Mexican 1 Peso note (Pick P-59g), featuring the iconic Aztec calendar stone in black and gray on the obverse with a distinctive pinkish-beige underprint, and the Monument to Independence rendered in red on the reverse. The note exhibits pristine condition with sharp engraving, vibrant colors, and no signs of wear, circulation, or handling — a beautiful representation of mid-20th century Mexican currency artistry. The visible MEXICO D.F. designation and Series KA with date of January 25, 1961 help identify this as the P-59g variant, making it a desirable collector's piece of classic Mexican numismatic design.
Common. This is a regular issue banknote from 1961 with substantial print runs. eBay market data shows consistent sales of UNC examples ranging from $0.99 to $8.76, with an average price around $2-3 for uncirculated specimens. PMG-graded examples command premiums ($11.50-$26.01 for PMG 66), but raw UNC notes are readily available and frequently traded. The 2019 catalog value of $2 for UNC confirms its common status in the collector market.
Issued in 1961 during a period of economic development and cultural pride in Mexico, this banknote celebrates the nation's indigenous heritage through the prominent display of the Aztec calendar stone, a symbol of pre-Columbian civilization and Mexican identity. The reverse features the Monument to Independence (Angel of Independence) in Mexico City, which commemorates Mexico's independence movement and stands as one of the country's most iconic landmarks. Together, these design elements reflect Mexico's commitment to honoring both its ancient heritage and modern national sovereignty during the mid-20th century.
The obverse displays a magnificent Aztec calendar stone (also known as the Sun Stone) rendered in intricate black and gray engraving at the center, surrounded by concentric rings of detailed symbolic imagery representing the 20-day Aztec calendar cycles. The design is set against a pinkish-beige underprint with baroque-style ornamental cartouches in all four corners, each containing decorative shields bearing the numeral '1'. Red serial numbers appear in the upper left and right. The reverse features the Monument to Independence (the Angel of Independence monument in Mexico City) as a central vignette in red and pink tones, flanked by symmetrical baroque ornamental frames with scrollwork and double-headed eagle emblems. The overall aesthetic combines neoclassical engraving techniques with nationalist Mexican imagery.
OBVERSE: 'PAGARA A LA VISTA AL PORTADOR EN EFECTIVO' (Will pay to bearer on sight in cash); 'SERIE KA' (Series KA); 'MEXICO D.F.' (Mexico City); '25-1-61' (January 25, 1961); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution); Serial number 'D463921' (appears twice). REVERSE: 'BANCO DE MEXICO' (Bank of Mexico); 'UN PESO' (One Peso); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving) executed by American Bank Note Company (ABNC), evidenced by the fine detail work, intricate line patterns, multiple color registration, and the characteristic sharp definition visible in the Aztec calendar stone design and ornamental borders. The multicolor underprint technique combined with the engraved vignettes indicates sophisticated security printing standards of the era.
This note is identified as Pick P-59g based on the presence of 'MEXICO D.F.' text above the date at lower left, distinguishing it from P-56. The visible series marking is 'KA' (observed as 'SERIE KA' on the obverse). The date of issue is 25.01.61 (January 25, 1961). The serial number shown is D463921. Per the PMG population report, multiple variants exist for this base Pick number (P-59c, P-59e, P-59j, P-59l, P-59s), likely distinguished by printer variations and series markings. The ABNC printer attribution and KA series are consistent with P-59g classification.
