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1 peso 1914

America › North America › Mexico
P-S5301914Estado de ChihuahuaUNC
1 peso 1914 from Mexico, P-S530 (1914) — image 1
1 peso 1914 from Mexico, P-S530 (1914) — image 2

About This Note

This is an exceptional example of a 1 peso banknote issued by the Estado de Chihuahua in 1914, graded in uncirculated condition. The note features striking ornate blue borders, two male portrait medallions, and a detailed reverse vignette depicting a large institutional building with crowds, reflecting the tumultuous Mexican Revolutionary period. The crisp, clean appearance with vibrant red printing and clear inscriptions makes this a desirable example of early 20th-century Mexican state currency.

Rarity

Common. While this represents an interesting historical emergency currency from the Mexican Revolution, the Pick catalog designation (P-S530) and the visible serial number 8472690 indicate a substantial print run by the Chihuahua state treasury. Revolutionary-period Mexican state notes are widely collected and regularly appear in numismatic commerce. The lack of historical records indicating a small print run, combined with the note's availability in the market, supports a common classification despite its historical interest.

Historical Context

Issued during the Mexican Revolution under military decree in February 1914, this note represents the Estado de Chihuahua's emergency currency during a period of federal authority breakdown. The reverse vignette showing a government building and the mention of the General Treasury (Tesorería General) reflect the state's attempt to maintain economic order during Pancho Villa's occupation and the broader revolutionary conflict. The date notation '11-10-15' on the reverse suggests this printing run extended into 1915, capturing a crucial moment in the state's financial autonomy during the revolution.

Design

The obverse features a sophisticated symmetrical layout with ornamental corner medallions containing the numeral '1' surrounded by decorative stars and scrollwork. Two male portraits in circular frames occupy the left (bearded gentleman) and right (mustachioed gentleman) sides of the note, likely representing state officials or revolutionary figures of significance. The central text area contains the denomination and authorizing decrees in formal typography typical of Mexican Revolutionary-era currency. The reverse displays an elaborate architectural vignette as the primary design element—a substantial multi-story institutional building with classical features and visible crowds gathered before it, enclosed within an ornate geometric border of lattice and scrollwork patterns. A prominent red seal bearing 'TESORERIA GENERAL DE CHIHUAHUA' serves as an official authorization mark. All four corners feature the circular numeral '1' with matching decorative elements for balance and denomination clarity.

Inscriptions

FRONT: 'DE ESTADO QUIROGA' (State of Quiroga); 'PARA CIRCULAR EN EFECTIVO' (For circulation in cash); 'UN PESO' (One peso); 'CONFORME AL DECRETO MILITAR DE FECHADO DE FEBRERO DE 1914' (In accordance with military decree dated February 1914); 'CHIHUAHUA' and 'CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO' (location identifiers); Serial number '8472690' (appears twice); 'TESORERO GENERAL' (General Treasurer); 'GOBERNADOR' (Governor); 'INTERVENTOR' (Auditor/Inspector). BACK: '11-10-15' (November 10, 1915 date); 'EVA XX' (designation); 'TESORERIA GENERAL DE CHIHUAHUA' (General Treasury of Chihuahua).

Printing Technique

Intaglio/engraved printing with letterpress and chromolithographic elements. The fine line work, intricate borders, ornamental details, and detailed architectural vignette are characteristic of intaglio engraving. The red seal and red serial numbers were likely applied via separate passes, suggesting a multi-color printing process typical of security-conscious currency production during the Mexican Revolutionary period. The sharp, crisp appearance in the UNC example confirms professional security printing standards.

Varieties

This note shows the standard 1 peso denomination with signatures for Gobernador (Governor), Tesorero General (General Treasurer), and Interventor (Auditor). The date notation '11-10-15' on the reverse indicates this is from the November 10, 1915 printing. Serial number 8472690 suggests mid-range production sequence. Varieties for P-S530 may include different signature combinations, date variations within the 1914-1915 period, and serial number prefixes, though the standard design elements remain consistent across issues of this denomination from the Chihuahua state treasury.