10 pesos 1914

Common. This denomination and issuer from the 1914 Veracruz Provisional Government series appears regularly in the numismatic market. While the revolutionary period issues are historically significant, the Gobierno Provisional de México Veracruz series was produced in substantial quantities for circulation during this emergency period. The specific series and date are not known to have been recalled or produced in severely limited quantities, and examples appear with reasonable frequency in both collector and dealer inventories.

This banknote was issued by the Provisional Government of Mexico during the height of the Mexican Revolution, specifically authorized by decree on September 16, 1914, and dated December 15, 1914. The inclusion of the snow-capped mountain landscape and Mexican eagle in the central vignette reflects nationalist imagery of the period, while the text referencing decrees from September 1914 indicates this was emergency currency issued during the transitional period of revolutionary governance from Veracruz. The note's authority is credited to the Treasury Department (Secretaría de Hacienda) under interim leadership, reflecting the fractured governmental authority typical of this volatile period in Mexican history.

The obverse features an ornately framed classical allegorical female figure (representing Mexico or Liberty) seated on a pedestal on the left side, rendered in the neoclassical tradition. The central focal point is an elaborate oval vignette depicting a mountainous landscape with a dramatic snow-capped peak, a body of water, vegetation, and the Mexican national eagle—symbols of Mexico's natural heritage and sovereignty. A large ornamental cartouche displaying the denomination numeral '10' appears on the right. The reverse displays a dominant central circular medallion with an intricate sunburst radiating pattern (possibly representing the sun or rays of national enlightenment) surrounded by baroque-style ornamental scrollwork and decorative frames. All four corners of both sides feature cross-hatched decorative shields and elaborate geometric-floral ornamental cartouches. A red circular government seal or authentication stamp appears on the reverse left side. The note employs black engraving on the obverse and purple/mauve engraving on the reverse, printed on cream/beige paper.

FRONT SIDE: 'Gobierno Provisional de México' (Provisional Government of Mexico) / 'Veracruz Diciembre 15 de 1914' (Veracruz December 15, 1914) / 'Nº 604239' (Serial Number 604239) / 'Serie C' (Series C) / 'El Tesorero General' (The General Treasurer) / 'E.O.M. Encargado de la Secretaría de Hacienda' (Interim Head of the Treasury Department) / 'La Tesorería recibirá y pagará este billete de acuerdo con el Decreto de 16 de Septiembre de 1914' (The Treasury will receive and pay this note in accordance with the Decree of September 16, 1914) / 'México Oficina del Gobierno' (Mexico Government Office) / BACK SIDE: 'Este billete circula de acuerdo con el Decreto de 19 de Septiembre de 1914' (This note circulates in accordance with the Decree of September 19, 1914) / 'Secretaría de Hacienda' (Treasury Department)

Intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving), the standard security printing method for banknotes of this era. The fine line work, cross-hatching, intricate ornamental patterns, and detailed baroque scrollwork are characteristic of high-quality intaglio production. The visual depth and precision of the engraved elements, particularly in the corner shields and central vignettes, indicate professional bank note engraving. The printer for this specific Veracruz provisional issue is not definitively identified in standard catalogs, though Mexican revolutionary-era notes were produced by various firms including Mexican government printing offices and contracted security printers.

Series C, Serial Number 604239, issued December 15, 1914. The note is identified as Pick S1108. Known varieties of this issue include different series designations (A, B, C, etc.) and varying serial number ranges. The date of December 15, 1914 is consistent with later issues of this series. Minor variations may exist in signature blocks and printer marks, though the standard design remained consistent throughout the series.