1 peso 1915
About This Note
An exceptional example of a 1915 emergency currency issued by the State of Sinaloa during the Mexican Revolution, featuring classical allegorical design with dual portrait medallions on the obverse and an elaborate reversal scene depicting figures with an eagle emblem. The note exhibits excellent condition (EF grade) despite its century-old age, with sharp engraving detail and legible typography throughout, though aging yellowing and a violet cancellation stamp on the reverse indicate its historical usage and authenticity. This scarce state-issued peso represents a significant piece of Mexican Revolutionary monetary history when central authority had fractured and regional governments resorted to emergency currency.
Uncommon. State-issued emergency currencies from the Mexican Revolution, particularly from Sinaloa, were produced in limited quantities and many were subsequently cancelled or destroyed (evidenced by the violet cancellation stamp on this example). While not extremely rare, surviving examples in EF condition are scarcer than typical Federal Mexican currency of the same era. The specific serial number (19353 and 19383) and the legible Series A designation suggest this represents one of the earlier production runs, adding to its collector value.
Issued under decree dated February 22, 1915, during the height of the Mexican Revolution when central government authority was contested and regional states operated semi-independently, the State of Sinaloa's emergency currency reflects the chaotic monetary conditions of the era. The note's classical allegorical imagery—featuring Lady Justice/Minerva and ceremonial eagle symbolism on the reverse—presents an attempt to project governmental legitimacy and stability despite revolutionary turmoil. The presence of multiple official signatures (Constitutional Governor, General Treasurer, General Secretary, and Comptroller) underscores the institutional framework Sinaloa maintained despite national upheaval.
The obverse features a symmetrical classical design with two male portrait medallions in profile separated by a central ornamental shield or coat of arms, flanked by allegorical female figures (identified as Lady Justice or Minerva) dressed in classical robes and holding attributes of authority. Both portraits are surrounded by elaborate floral wreaths and scalloped quatrefoil corner ornaments, with intricate acanthus leaf and scroll work forming the security border. The reverse presents an elaborate allegorical scene depicting a ceremonial gathering with draped classical female figures on either side and a male figure in the center-left, dominated by a heraldic eagle with spread wings at the composition's center, with a distant landscape showing urban and mountainous terrain in the background. The entire design employs fine line engraving with hatching and cross-hatching techniques typical of security printing, creating dimensional depth and counterfeiting resistance.
{"front":{"headerInscription":"EL ESTADO LIBRE Y SOBERANO DE SINALOA (The Free and Sovereign State of Sinaloa)","paymentPromise":"PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR EN EFECTIVO (Will pay the bearer in cash)","denomination":"UN PESO (One peso)","series":"SERIE A (Series A)","legalBasis":"CONFORME AL DECRETO DE FECHA 22 DE FEBRERO 1915 (In accordance with the decree dated February 22, 1915)","issuanceLocation":"BAN BLAS, SIN. (Ban Blas, Sinaloa)","signatories":["GOBERNADOR CONSTITUCIONAL (Constitutional Governor)","TESORERO GENERAL (General Treasurer)","SECRETARIO GENERAL (General Secretary)","INTERVENTOR (Comptroller/Inspector)"],"serialNumbers":"No 19353 and No 19383","denominationRepeat":"PESOS (Pesos)"},"reverse":{"partialInscription":"ACREEBLA (Location reference—partially visible, likely Acapulco or regional designation)"}}
Fine line engraving and steel plate intaglio printing, characteristic of early 20th-century emergency currency production. The precise parallel lines, cross-hatching in background areas, and the crisp reproduction of fine decorative detail visible throughout both sides indicate professional security printing. Serial numbers are applied in separate red ink overprint. The specific printer for this Sinaloa issue is not definitively documented in standard references, though Mexican state emergency currencies of 1915 were often produced by regional printers or under government supervision with varying quality standards.
This note is identified as Pick P-S1043a, indicating it is the 'a' variety of this Sinaloa 1 peso issue. The Series A designation on the obverse confirms this is an early printing. The presence of two distinct serial numbers on the same note (19353 and 19383) may indicate a dual-numbered security feature or a particular printing characteristic of this series. The violet cancellation stamp on the reverse indicates post-issue governmental voiding, making this a 'cancelled' specimen—a significant notation for collectors as cancelled emergency currency often commands premium values due to their relative scarcity and historical documentation of monetary policy.
