10 pesos 1915

Uncommon. While Sinaloa state currency from 1915 is not as frequently encountered as central Mexican issues, it was issued during a period of active currency circulation and was not subject to immediate recall. The Pick catalog designation (P-S1045b) indicates this is a documented variety, suggesting multiple printings existed. The UNC condition grade is rarer than circulated examples, as most surviving specimens show evidence of use. The 'b' designation suggests at least two varieties were issued in this denomination and series, making individual variety specimens scarce rather than common.

Issued under decree on February 22, 1915, during the height of the Mexican Revolution, this Sinaloa state note represents the period when regional governments exercised monetary authority independently. The allegorical female figures on the reverse symbolize Liberty and Progress, common revolutionary-era iconography, while the cityscape likely depicts San Blas, Sinaloa, where the note was issued. These emergency issues reflect the political fragmentation and financial chaos of the Revolution, when state authorities issued currency due to the scarcity of federal Mexican pesos.

The obverse features a classical dual-portrait design with a clean-shaven statesman in left profile and a bearded gentleman in right profile, both rendered in fine line engraving within ornamental medallions framed by delicate floral garlands. The central design contains an ornate shield with allegorical female figure bearing a sword (Liberty), flanked by elaborate scrollwork and corner ornaments characteristic of late 19th-century banknote engraving. The reverse presents a more elaborate allegorical composition with two winged female figures in classical robing representing Liberty and Progress, with a central circular medallion containing an aerial perspective of San Blas or the Sinaloa capital cityscape. The entire composition is enclosed in ornamental borders with fine scrollwork, representing civic pride and governmental authority during the Revolutionary period.

FRONT: 'El Estado Libre y Soberano de Sinaloa' (The Free and Sovereign State of Sinaloa); 'Pagará al Portador en Efectivo' (Will Pay the Bearer in Cash); 'Diez Pesos' (Ten Pesos); 'Serie E' (Series E); 'Conforme al Decreto de Fecha 22 de Febrero 1915' (In Accordance with Decree Dated February 22, 1915); 'San Blas, Sin.' (San Blas, Sinaloa); Official titles: 'Gobernador Constitucional' (Constitutional Governor), 'Secretario General' (General Secretary), 'Tesorero General' (General Treasurer), 'Interventor' (Auditor). Serial number: 44161. BACK: 'República de Estado de' (Republic of State of) [inscription appears incomplete in visual analysis].

Intaglio engraving (line engraving and steel plate printing), evidenced by the fine linework, precise cross-hatching in portrait areas, ornate scrollwork, and complex border patterns visible throughout both sides. The multi-color printing technique employs separate plates for green/black on the obverse and blue/purple on the reverse, consistent with early 20th-century security printing standards. The printer for Sinaloa state notes of this period is not definitively identified in standard catalogs, though such emergency issues were often produced by regional lithographic or engraving firms.

This note is cataloged as Pick S1045b, indicating it represents the second documented variety of the Sinaloa 10 Pesos 1915 issue. The Series E designation and serial number 44161 suggest this specimen falls within a specific printing batch. The presence of handwritten signatures visible in the visual analysis indicates the note was signed by authorized officials before issue. To definitively establish variety within P-S1045b, comparison would be needed with P-S1045a regarding signature placement, watermarks, or subtle design variations, though the visual analysis does not reveal obvious overprints or alterations typical of recognized sub-varieties.