2 pesos 1914

Common. The eBay price tracking data shows multiple sales at varying price points, with F-grade examples regularly appearing in the $75-$95 range, and VF specimens commanding $30-$695 depending on specific attributes (likely including signature varieties or special serial numbers). The wide range of listed prices and frequency of sales indicates healthy collector demand but not extreme scarcity. This Pick number (P-S241) from a major Mexican bank with substantial circulation and no documented short print run or recall status is typical of commonly available Mexican Revolution-era notes. The denomination and issuer were both significant enough to warrant large production runs.

Issued during a pivotal moment in Mexican history, this Banco de Londres y Mexico note reflects the European banking interests that dominated Mexican finance in the early 20th century—the bank's name explicitly references its London connections. The classical allegorical imagery of Faith and Happiness paired with the Mexico City skyline represents the optimism and modernization narrative that Mexican financial institutions were promoting even as the country descended into revolutionary conflict. The note's February 1914 date places it squarely within the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), a period of significant monetary instability and institutional upheaval.

The obverse features two allegorical female figures in classical Greco-Roman dress (representing Faith/Confianza and Happiness/Prosperidad in Mexican iconography) positioned at left, gesturing toward a detailed vignette of the Mexico City skyline with recognizable church spires and civic buildings, symbolizing national progress and urban development. The composition is framed by elaborate Art Nouveau scrollwork borders with geometric and botanical motifs characteristic of early 20th-century currency design. Corner ornaments display large decorative medallions containing the numeral '2' in ornate circular frames. The reverse presents a more heraldic design centered on a winged eagle or coat of arms motif within a large circular medallion, surrounded by four corner medallions similarly containing the numeral '2', with subtle geometric border patterning throughout. The color scheme employs black and tan/beige inks on the obverse with orange underprint, and green ink on the cream-colored reverse, typical of the period's multi-color banknote production.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO DE LONDRES Y MEXICO' (Bank of London and Mexico) - the issuing institution; 'SOCIEDAD ANONIMA' (Stock Company/Anonymous Society); 'DOS PESOS' (Two Pesos) - denomination; 'PAGARI A LA VISTA AL PORTADOR EN EFECTIVO' (Will pay on sight to the bearer in cash) - promise to pay clause; 'MEXICO' - country of issue; '14 de febrero de 1914' (February 14, 1914) - specific issue date; 'N° 0278545' - serial number; 'INTERVENTOR DEL GOBIERNO' (Government Comptroller); 'CONSEJERO' (Board Member/Counselor); 'GERENTE' (Manager) - signature titles; 'BOULIGNY & SCHMIDT SUCC. MEXICO' (Bouligny & Schmidt Successors, Mexico) - printer. REVERSE SIDE: 'DOS PESOS' (Two Pesos) and 'BOULIGNY & SCHMIDT SUCC. MEXICO' (Bouligny & Schmidt Successors, Mexico) - printer attribution.

This note was produced using intaglio engraving (fine-line engraving), the standard security printing method for banknotes of this era. The printer Bouligny & Schmidt Successors of Mexico employed this technique to create the intricate line work visible throughout both sides—particularly evident in the detailed allegorical figures, architectural vignette, border scrollwork, and decorative medallions. The precision engraving provides both aesthetic appeal and anti-counterfeiting protection through the fine detail work that would be extremely difficult to reproduce. Multiple color applications (black, orange, green, and red for serial numbers) indicate a carefully controlled multi-pass printing process.

The specific variety is identifiable by the dated issue format '14 de febrero de 1914' (February 14, 1914), which places it within the known 1914 series of Banco de Londres y Mexico 2 pesos notes. The serial number N° 0278545 in red ink is visible on this specimen. For Pick #S233-S239, numismatic literature has noted variations in specific printing dates from the 1889-1913 period, though this note falls outside that range. The signature variety is present but not clearly legible in the images provided. No overprints or special markings beyond standard validation stamps are evident on this example.