2 pesos 1914
Market Prices
About This Note
This is a Fine-grade 2 Pesos banknote issued by Banco de San Luis Potosí in February 1914, representing an important regional currency from Mexico's tumultuous early Revolutionary period. The note displays exceptional ornamental design work with classical architectural imagery (El Banco building) and Mexican national symbolism, printed by American Book & Printing Co. in Mexico City. Despite visible aging, creasing, and foxing consistent with its century-old circulation history, the intricate engraving and distinctive Series D marking make this a desirable example of Mexican regional banking currency.
Common. The eBay market data provided shows multiple listings with prices ranging from $12.95 to $195.00 USD, with F-grade examples specifically listed at $94.50 USD. The existence of numerous sales across various conditions, including multiple VF examples at $29.99-$44.99, indicates this note had a substantial print run and regular circulation. Banco de San Luis Potosí was a legitimate, established institution (not a short-lived emergency issuer), and February 1914 notes were produced in normal quantities. The presence of Series D and multiple serial numbers in surviving examples further confirms common circulation status. While historically interesting and over a century old, this note is not scarce within the Mexican regional currency market.
The Banco de San Luis Potosí issued this note during a critical moment in Mexican history—the Mexican Revolution was in its fourth year, and regional banks were issuing their own currency as central authority fragmented. The February 1914 date places this note during the Convention period when multiple factions controlled different regions of Mexico. The classical architectural imagery and eagle symbolism reflect the bank's attempt to project stability and legitimacy despite the nation's political chaos, while the 'bearer' and 'at sight' clauses indicate this was negotiable financial paper backed by the bank's reserves.
The obverse features a classical two-part composition with a detailed architectural vignette on the left depicting the El Banco building—a multi-story structure with arched windows and ornate neoclassical facade—contained within an ornamental frame labeled 'Dagara.' The right side displays the bank's name and denomination with an eagle emblem in a decorative circular cartouche, flanked by two portrait vignettes labeled 'A La Vista' and 'Al Portador' showing standing figures in formal dress, likely representing bank officials or allegorical figures representing financial integrity. The reverse showcases the Mexican national coat of arms: an eagle with spread wings and serpent, surrounded by a laurel wreath within concentric circular borders, a design echoing official Mexican government seals. Large ornamental numeral '2's in elaborate frames appear on both sides. The overall aesthetic employs fine line engraving with Celtic-influenced corner ornaments and flowing scrollwork throughout, creating a complex, visually sophisticated design intended to prevent counterfeiting through decorative complexity.
FRONT: 'El Banco' (The Bank); 'San Luis Potosí'; 'De Febrero de 1914' (Of February 1914); 'En Efectivo' (In Cash); 'A La Vista' (At Sight); 'Al Portador' (To Bearer); 'Dos Pesos' (Two Pesos); 'Serie D' (Series D); 'No. 051515' (Number 051515); 'Dagara' (appears as location/establishment name); 'American Book & Printing Co. Mexico D.F.' (Printer attribution); 'Consejero' (Counselor); 'Gerente' (Manager); 'Interventor del Gobierno' (Government Supervisor). BACK: 'Banco de San Luis Potosí' (Bank of San Luis Potosí); 'Sociedad Anónima' (Anonymous Society/Corporation); 'American Book & Printing Co. Mexico D.F.' (Printer attribution); 'SLP-B2' (catalog designation).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving/copperplate printing), as evidenced by the precise fine line work, detailed cross-hatching, and sharp definition of ornamental elements visible in both the front and back designs. The note was produced by American Book & Printing Co. of Mexico City, a major security printer of the era known for high-quality banknote production. The multi-color capability (black on front, dark green/teal on back) indicates separate plate runs, with the cream/beige paper providing the base tone. The fine serial numbering in red ink on the front was applied separately, likely through letterpress or secondary printing.
This example is identified as Series D, serial number 051515, from the February 1914 issue. The Pick catalog number P-S407 typically encompasses this standard issue. Known varieties for this denomination include different series letters (A, B, C, D, etc.), signature varieties reflecting different bank officials in the 'Consejero' and 'Gerente' positions, and potentially different printer marks. The specific signatures and titles on this example (not fully legible in visual analysis but noted as positions in the inscriptions) would constitute the precise variety identifier. No overprints or unusual variants are evident in the visual analysis of this specimen.
