10 pesos 1915
About This Note
This 10 Pesos banknote from 1915 represents an important issue of the Mexican Constitutional Government during the turbulent Revolution era. The note displays excellent engraving quality by the American Bank Note Company, featuring a distinguished portrait in formal attire on the obverse and a striking Aztec calendar stone design on the reverse. In VF condition with light aging and some foxing visible, this note represents a historically significant piece of Mexican currency from a transformative period.
Common. While this note was issued during a politically volatile period and represents an important historical issue, the Constitutionalist government maintained relatively stable currency production during 1915, and American Bank Note Company's printing quality ensured substantial print runs. No evidence of exceptionally limited mintage, recalls, or short-lived issuance specific to this Pick number exists. Notes from this series appear regularly in the numismatic market.
Issued during the Constitutional period of the Mexican Revolution (1913-1917), this note represents the Gobierno Constitucionalista's effort to establish monetary authority after overthrowing the Huerta regime. The prominent inclusion of the Aztec calendar stone on the reverse reflects post-revolutionary Mexico's embrace of indigenous cultural symbolism as a source of national identity. The American Bank Note Company printing and formal governmental inscriptions ('Tesorero General de la Nacion' and 'Subsecretario de Hacienda') demonstrate the constitutional government's attempt to project legitimacy and administrative continuity during this period of civil conflict.
The obverse features a formal portrait of a dignified male figure in profile facing left, wearing formal attire and a distinctive white head covering, enclosed within an ornate oval frame. The portrait is flanked by decorative cartouches displaying the denomination '10' in all four corners and at the center bottom with the text 'Diez Pesos'. The reverse showcases a central circular design featuring an Aztec calendar stone or similar pre-Columbian cosmological motif, flanked symmetrically by ornate circular frames containing the number 10 on both left and right sides. Both sides display elaborate scrollwork, geometric patterns, and fine line work characteristic of the highest standards of early 20th-century security printing.
FRONT SIDE: 'Republica Mexicana' (Mexican Republic), 'Gobierno Constitucionalista' (Constitutional Government), 'Serie I' (Series I), Serial number D3944321, 'Diez Pesos' (Ten Pesos), '10', 'Tesorero General de la Nacion' (General Treasurer of the Nation), 'Subsecretario de Hacienda' (Sub-Secretary of Treasury), 'American Bank Note Company'. BACK SIDE: 'Republica Mexicana' (Mexican Republic), '10', 'Este billete circulara conforme al decreto de' (This note shall circulate in accordance with the decree of), 'American Bank Note Company'.
Intaglio engraving (bank note style), produced by American Bank Note Company, one of the world's premier security printers. The visual analysis reveals the characteristic fine line work, cross-hatching, and intricate geometric patterns typical of intaglio printing. The depth and clarity of the engraved details, particularly visible in the ornate borders, scrollwork, and the complex Aztec calendar design, demonstrate the sophisticated multi-plate engraving process used for high-security currency.
Series I designation noted on obverse. Serial number observed: D3944321. This note represents the standard 1915 issue from the Gobierno Constitucionalista. Varieties may exist in serial number prefixes and series designations, though the visual analysis does not indicate overprints, date variations, or signature varieties beyond those standard to this Pick number.
