10 pesos 1915
About This Note
This 10 pesos note from the Estado de Oaxaca issued November 15, 1915, represents a fascinating piece of Mexican Revolutionary period currency. The note displays fine engraving work with an eagle medallion on the front and a portrait of a dignitary on the reverse, both rendered in the classical style typical of early 20th-century Mexican state issues. In VF condition, the note shows expected aging and foxing consistent with a 109-year-old piece, yet maintains good legibility and color definition in the teal, red, and black palette.
Common. While this represents a regionally-issued state emergency currency from the Mexican Revolution period, the Estado de Oaxaca issued multiple denominations and series of notes during 1915. Pick catalog S957b appears to represent a standard variety of the 10 pesos denomination from this issuer. The serial number 1600100 suggests a production run of at least several hundred thousand notes. State-issued Revolutionary-era Mexican notes in this denomination and condition are typically available to collectors at modest prices, indicating healthy supply in the numismatic market.
This note was issued during a tumultuous period of the Mexican Revolution when regional governments, including Oaxaca, were issuing their own currency under federal decree. The formal language of the decree and the legal declaration of 'forced circulation' with 'unlimited liberatory power' on the reverse reflect the state's assertion of monetary authority during a time of central government weakness. The November 1915 date places this squarely within the phase when various Mexican states independently managed their finances and currency supplies.
The note features classical Mexican engraving design elements characteristic of early 20th-century currency. The front displays a prominent eagle within a circular medallion on the left side, a symbol of Mexican national identity, surrounded by ornate scrollwork and decorative corner designs rendered in fine line work. The denomination '10 PESOS' is displayed prominently in the center. Serial numbers appear in red ink in the upper right and lower left corners. The reverse features an engraved portrait of a man in formal military-style dress or formal coat, shown in profile facing right, positioned on the right side of the note. Both sides employ symmetrical ornamental borders and scrollwork patterns. A red official governmental seal with a decorative starburst border appears on the lower left of the reverse, indicating official authorization by the State of Oaxaca treasury. The color scheme consists primarily of teal/cyan blue with red and black accents on a cream/white ground.
FRONT SIDE: '10 pesos' / 'La Garantía General' (The General Guarantee) / 'Serie I' (Series I) / 'Estado de Oaxaca' (State of Oaxaca) / 'Pagaré' (I promise to pay) / 'DIEZ PESOS' (TEN PESOS) / 'al portador en efectivo' (to the bearer in cash) / 'Oaxaca de Juárez, 15 de Noviembre de 1915' (Oaxaca de Juárez, November 15, 1915) / 'El Tesorero' (The Treasurer) / 'El Contador' (The Accountant) / Serial number '1600100' / 'ARTES GRÁFICAS DE JULIA S. SOTO OAXACA' (Graphic Arts of Julia S. Soto Oaxaca) / Signatures: 'Josi Romilla' and 'Manuel Urbano'. BACK SIDE: 'Este Título de Crédito es de circulación forzosa y tiene poder liberatorio ilimitado dentro del territorio del Estado de Oaxaca.' (This Credit Title is of forced circulation and has unlimited liberatory power within the territory of the State of Oaxaca.) / 'Decreto número 5 del 30 de Julio de 1915' (Decree number 5 of July 30, 1915) / 'ARTES GRÁFICAS DE JULIÁN S. SOTO OAXACA' (Graphic Arts of Julián S. Soto Oaxaca).
This note was produced using fine line steel engraving throughout, as evidenced by the detailed portrait work, elaborate border patterns, and the precision of the eagle medallion. The printer, as noted in the inscriptions, was Artes Gráficas de Julia S. Soto (alternatively rendered as Julián S. Soto) of Oaxaca, a regional graphics firm. The serial numbers were applied in red ink, and the official government seal was impressed or engraved in red. The fine line engraving technique served dual purposes: creating an aesthetically sophisticated design and providing anti-counterfeiting security through the complexity of the engraved patterns.
This note is identified as Pick S957b, the 'b' variety designation. The note bears Series I designation and features signatures of Josi Romilla and Manuel Urbano. Serial number 1600100 is visible. The specific variety designation likely refers to differences in signature combinations or serial number series compared to Pick S957a. Collectors should note that varieties of this issue may exist with different signature combinations, serial number prefixes, or minor design variations reflecting different printing runs or authorization stages during the tumultuous 1915 period.
