1 peso 1914

Common. While this note represents an interesting historical artifact from Mexico's Revolutionary period and a specific regional issuer, the eBay market data provided shows similar graded examples (PMG 25) selling for approximately $34, indicating routine availability in the collector market. The print run was substantial enough that examples remain accessible to collectors, and the note has not been subject to recalls or severe attrition. Regional Mexican bank notes from 1914 are collectible but not scarce.

Banco Oriental de Mexico was one of numerous regional Mexican banks that issued currency during the chaotic early Revolutionary era, when central authority was fragmented and multiple institutions circulated their own notes. The architectural imagery on this note—featuring what appears to be the bank's headquarters building in Puebla and a church or cathedral seal on the reverse—reflects the bank's regional importance and institutional prestige during this period. The Latin religious inscriptions ('Angelis Suis Deus') on the reverse underscore the prominent role of Catholic imagery in Mexican banking during the early 20th century.

The obverse features a classical institutional layout with an ornate X-pattern border frame and red corner stamps. The center-left displays an elaborate heraldic monogram or coat of arms within an oval medallion, flanked by decorative lyre symbols. The right side showcases a detailed engraving of a substantial multi-story institutional building (likely Banco Oriental's headquarters) situated on a hillside with naturalistic vegetation, conveying the bank's solid, established character. An eagle emblem appears in the upper right. The reverse presents a striking circular seal enclosed within an ornate baroque scalloped frame with fine crosshatching throughout. Within the seal is a depiction of a church or cathedral building with towers, surrounded by the Latin religious inscription. Corner fleur-de-lis ornaments and the elaborate decorative frame work create an impression of security, dignity, and tradition. The denomination '1' appears in the lower left of the reverse.

FRONT: 'El Banco Oriental de Mexico, S.A.' (The Oriental Bank of Mexico, Corporation); 'Puebla' (city of issue); '19 de Abril de 1914' (April 19, 1914); 'Un Peso' (One Peso); 'Pagará en Esta Ciudad en Efectivo a la Par a la Vista y al Portador' (Will pay in this city in cash at par on sight and to bearer); 'American Book & Printing Co., Mexico D.F.' (printer); 'N.N.C. CXIII' (series 113); '24,005 Serie N.N. CCCXXVI' (series notation); '165288490' (serial number); 'Consejero' (Counselor); 'Gerente' (Manager). BACK: 'Banco Oriental de Mexico' (Oriental Bank of Mexico); 'Angelis Suis Deus' / 'Omnibus His Suis Deus Angelis Suis Deus' (God with His Angels / To all His Angels God—Latin religious phrases); 'American Book & Printing Co., Mexico D.F.' (printer); 'Mexico' (country of issue).

This note was produced using intaglio engraving (steel plate printing), as evidenced by the fine line work, detailed crosshatching, and sharp definition visible in both the ornamental borders and the building engravings. The printer, American Book & Printing Co. of Mexico D.F., was known for high-quality security printing. The combination of intricate engraved borders, fine stippling, and complex architectural rendering are characteristic of late 19th and early 20th-century bank note security printing intended to prevent counterfeiting.

This specimen corresponds to Pick P-S388b, the second identified variety of the 1914 Banco Oriental de Mexico 1 peso issue. Key identifying details include the April 19, 1914 date, the 'S.A.' (Sociedad Anónima) designation, Puebla as the place of issue, series notation 'N.N.C. CXIII' (113), the specific serial number 165288490, and the use of American Book & Printing Co. as printer. The variety designation (b) may relate to differences in overprints, signatures, or minor design variations compared to the base issue (P-S388a). No specific overprint varieties are evident in the visual analysis.