10 pesos 1916
About This Note
This is a 1916 State of Yucatan 10 pesos note issued by the Tesoreria General del Estado, representing an important example of Mexican regional currency from the early revolutionary period. The note exhibits the classical engraved style typical of early 20th century banknotes, with a tan and beige obverse featuring a bearded gentleman in formal attire within an ornate laurel-wreathed oval, and a distinctive salmon-pink reverse showcasing a central eagle seal. In Fair condition, the note displays age-appropriate foxing and discoloration but maintains excellent structural integrity with no significant tears, making it a desirable collector's piece of Mexican state currency.
Common. Mexican state banknotes from 1916, while historically significant, were issued in substantial quantities by state treasuries during the revolutionary period. The Pick catalog entry (P-S1138) for this denomination and issuer indicates standard cataloging of a known type, and serial number 1319989 suggests a mid-to-high number range within the series, consistent with robust circulation. State currency from this era, particularly from economically important states like Yucatan, was produced in quantities sufficient to facilitate regional commerce; notes survive in reasonable numbers today. Fair condition examples typically realize modest collector values reflecting their historical rather than extreme scarcity value.
This 1916 emission coincides with Mexico's post-Díaz revolutionary period when regional governments, particularly in Yucatan, exercised currency-issuing authority as federal institutions were destabilized. The note's designation as redeemable in 'Oro Nacional' (National Gold) reflects the financial instability of the era, as states attempted to maintain confidence in their currency during civil conflict. The printing by Parsons Trading Company of New York, a respected American security printer, underscores the international dimension of Mexican revolutionary-era finance and the reliance on foreign expertise for legitimate currency production during domestic upheaval.
The obverse features a classical portrait of a bearded gentleman in formal 19th-century dress with bow tie, positioned centrally within an intricate oval frame decorated with a laurel wreath—a classical symbol of authority and achievement. Roman numeral X appears in ornamental corner designs with elaborate scrollwork and floral motifs characteristic of Edwardian engraving aesthetics. The reverse depicts the Mexican national eagle with spread wings displayed prominently within a circular seal at center, surrounded by radiating sunburst patterns and symmetrical ornamental frames. The color scheme differentiates the two sides markedly: tan/beige on the obverse and salmon/coral pink on the reverse, both utilizing fine line-work engraving throughout. The overall design language emphasizes legitimacy and security through classical iconography appropriate to a government treasury instrument.
FRONT: 'REPÚBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic); 'ESTADO DE YUCATAN' (State of Yucatan); 'TESORERÍA GENERAL DEL ESTADO' (General Treasury of the State); Serial number 'Nº 1319989'; 'SERIE D' (Series D); 'AL PORTADOR' (To the Bearer); 'LA CANTIDAD DE' (The Amount of); 'Mérida, Yuc., Mex.' (Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico); 'DIEZ PESOS' (Ten Pesos); 'ORO NACIONAL' (National Gold); 'PARSONS TRADING CO. NEW YORK' (printer attribution). BACK: 'GOBIERNO' (Government); 'DIEZ (10) PESOS' (Ten Pesos); 'ORO NACIONAL' (National Gold); 'PARSONS TRADING CO. NEW YORK' (printer attribution).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), executed by Parsons Trading Company of New York, a prominent American bank note security printer. The fine detail visible in portrait rendering, intricate border work, ornamental scrollwork, and geometric pattern complexity are characteristic signatures of the intaglio process, which creates security features through the physical depth and complexity of the engraved dies. The precision of the eagle seal and the delicate line-work throughout indicate professional-grade security printing equipment.
This note is identified as SERIE D (Series D) with serial number 1319989, indicating it belongs to the fourth series of this emission. Parsons Trading Company's attribution appears on both obverse and reverse, confirming the printing source. The 'AL PORTADOR' (bearer) designation and gold standard redemption clause ('ORO NACIONAL') are standard for this issue. No overprints, date variations, or signature variants are visible on this example. The Series D designation suggests multiple series were produced; collectors should note differences in series identifications as potential variety markers.
