1 peso 1915

Common. While this note represents an important historical emission from a specific state during the Mexican Revolution, Estado de Durango issued multiple denominations in 1915 with substantial quantities. The serial number 19717 suggests a moderately high print run. Revolutionary-era Mexican state notes, particularly one-peso denominations, were issued in significant quantities and remain relatively available to collectors. The Fair condition and lack of exceptional scarcity factors support a common classification.

This note was issued by Durango State in January 1915, during the Mexican Revolution when federal currency was scarce and local authorities issued their own emergency money. The decree date of December 12, 1913 references the constitutional crisis that prompted such regional monetary measures. The colonial cityscape depicted on the reverse likely represents Durango city itself, symbolizing local authority and regional identity during a period of national fragmentation.

The obverse features the Mexican national eagle (águila mexicana) with wings fully spread and talons visible gripping a branch, centered in the note's main field. This is surrounded by an ornamental engraved border with decorative patterns on the left and right edges, with ornamental corner designs. The reverse displays an elaborate engraved vignette of a colonial Mexican city skyline featuring prominent church spires and a cathedral-style religious building with multiple towers, surrounded by vegetation and landscape elements characteristic of Mexican colonial urban planning. The entire reverse is framed by an ornate decorative border containing circular medallion elements and floral-geometric patterns. Red official seals appear in the upper right and lower right corners, with circular emblems featuring the denomination '1' positioned in all four corners.

FRONT: 'El Estado de Durango' (The State of Durango) / 'Pagará al Portador' (Will pay to bearer) / 'La cantidad de' (The amount of) / 'Un Peso' (One Peso) / 'Conforme al Decreto de 12 de Diciembre de 1913' (According to the decree of December 12, 1913) / 'Durango Enero 1915' (Durango, January 1915) / 'El Gobernador Prov.' (The Provisional Governor) / 'El Director al de Rentas' (The Director of Revenue) / 'Serie N' (Series N) / 'No 19717' (Number 19717). BACK: Decorative numeral '1' in corner medallions (denomination indicator).

Intaglio/engraving, evidenced by the fine line work, deep impression characteristics, and detailed vignettes visible in both the eagle rendering and cityscape. The ornate borders and decorative elements show typical engraved security patterns. This represents the standard high-security currency printing technology of the period employed by Mexican state authorities for emergency notes.

Series N, Number 19717. The note exhibits the standard January 1915 Durango issue characteristics. Varieties of this Pick number are primarily distinguished by series letter designation and serial number ranges. This particular example represents the Series N variety. The signatures of the Provisional Governor and Director of Revenue are present but not individually identified in the visual analysis. Known varieties may exist with different series letters (A through N noted in some catalogs for this issue).