1 peso 1913
About This Note
This is a 1 Peso note from the Estado de Sonora issued in 1913 during the Mexican Revolution, specifically authorized by gubernatorial decree on August 27, 1913. The front features distinctive Mexican patriotic imagery including the national eagle seal and a romantic blue vignette of sunrise over water, while the reverse presents a clean, minimalist design with green text and corner ornaments. In VG condition, the note shows authentic age-related patina with foxing, creasing, and yellowing consistent with over a century of existence, making it a tangible artifact of revolutionary-era Mexican state currency.
Common. While this is a genuine revolutionary-era state note of historical significance, Sonora's 1913 provisional currency was issued in substantial quantities across multiple series (this example is from the 3rd series). Such notes from the Mexican Revolution period regularly appear in dealer inventories and collector markets at modest prices. The VG condition grade and lack of exceptional characteristics do not elevate this particular note beyond common status. Revolutionary-period Mexican state notes, while interesting historically, are widely available to collectors.
This provisional one-peso note was issued by Governor José María Maytorena of Sonora during the tumultuous Mexican Revolution, when state governments were forced to issue their own currency due to national monetary instability. The reference to Decreto Num. 13 of August 27, 1913, reflects the extraordinary measures taken by regional authorities to maintain commerce when the federal monetary system had collapsed. The patriotic imagery—particularly the Mexican eagle emblem and the allegorical sunrise vignette—symbolizes the state's sovereignty and optimistic vision during this period of national upheaval.
The front displays a classical 19th-century banknote layout with an ornamental double-line border framing the composition. The left side features a circular seal containing the Mexican national coat of arms—an eagle with wings spread, representing state and federal authority. The center text area declares the note's promise to pay one peso to the bearer in cash, with denomination shown both numerically ($1) and written (UN PESO). On the right, a blue oval vignette depicts a romanticized landscape scene with a sun rising over water, likely representing Sonora's natural beauty or prosperity. The note is printed in warm tan and beige tones with black text and blue accents for emphasis. The reverse presents a simplified, elegant design centered on the denomination text 'ESTADO DE SONORA 1 PESO' in green ink, surrounded by decorative fleur-de-lis ornaments in all four corners and bounded by a double-line border. This design reflects the classical aesthetic of early 20th-century Latin American regional currency.
FRONT: 'EL ESTADO de SONORA' (The State of Sonora) / 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR' (Will pay to the bearer) / '$1' / 'UN PESO EN EFECTIVO' (One peso in cash) / 'No 16057' (Serial number) / '3a. SERIE.' (3rd series) / 'CONFORME AL DECRETO NUM. 13 DE FECHA 27 DE AGOSTO DE 1913' (In accordance with Decree No. 13 dated August 27, 1913) / 'Hermosillo, Sonora México' / 'EL GOBERNADOR José Ma. Mayorena' (The Governor) / 'EL O.M.E. DE LA S. Juan Sánchez Azcona' (Official of the Secretariat) / 'EL TESORERO GENERAL' (The General Treasurer) / 'REPÚBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic) / 'IMP. DEL ESTADO PROVISIÓNAL' (State Provisional Printing) / BACK: 'ESTADO DE SONORA' (State of Sonora) / '1 PESO' (One peso, repeated).
This note was produced using letterpress printing, the standard technique for banknote production in 1913. The 'IMP. DEL ESTADO' (State Printing) credit indicates production by Sonora's state printing office rather than a specialized security printer. The multi-color composition (tan base, black and green text, blue vignette) was achieved through successive passes of the letterpress, with the ornamental borders and vignette engraving demonstrating the technical competence of early 20th-century Mexican state printing operations. The relatively simple security features reflect the provisional nature of the issue and the limited resources available to state governments during the revolutionary period.
This example is identified as third series ('3a. SERIE') with serial number 16057. The note is signed by Governor José María Maytorena and bears the authenticating signatures of state officials Juan Sánchez Azcona and the General Treasurer. Sonora issued notes across multiple series in 1913, and collectors may encounter variations in series designation, serial number ranges, and signature blocks. The specific authorization date (August 27, 1913) appears consistent across the series, though different denominations and printing runs may show variations in registration, color intensity, and wear patterns.
