2 pesos 1916
About This Note
This is an attractive AU-graded example of Mexico's 2 Pesos banknote from May 1, 1916, issued by the Gobierno Provisional de México during a tumultuous period of Mexican history. The note displays crisp, detailed engraving throughout with no significant wear, featuring a striking allegorical female figure (Liberty) on the reverse and a formal male portrait on the obverse, complemented by ornate scrollwork and decorative borders in black, gray, and blue inks. This piece represents an important transitional currency from Mexico's Revolutionary period, when provisional governments struggled to maintain fiscal stability.
Common. This is a standard-issue banknote from the Gobierno Provisional de México's regular circulation series (Series A). While the note is from an important historical period and documents a specific moment in Mexican Revolutionary history, the denomination, series, and print run were substantial enough that examples remain readily available to collectors. The AU condition grade enhances its appeal to collectors but does not significantly alter the common status of the issue itself.
The Gobierno Provisional de México issued this note on May 1, 1916, during the Mexican Revolution when multiple factions competed for control. The note's inscriptions reference the April 3, 1916 decree authorizing its circulation, reflecting the legal framework the provisional government used to legitimize its currency emissions. The allegorical imagery on the reverse—depicting Liberty in classical dress—was a common motif used by Mexican provisional authorities to assert legitimacy and national identity during a period of profound political upheaval.
The obverse features a circular portrait medallion on the left containing an unidentified male figure in formal dress, likely a government official or revolutionary leader of the provisional government. The center presents an elaborate engraved scene depicting multiple robed figures in what appears to be a formal governmental or religious setting, with classical architectural elements including columns and ornamental details. A large decorative numeral '2' dominates the center-right in a star-shaped ornamental frame. The reverse displays a central circular medallion containing an allegorical female figure representing Liberty or Mexican sovereignty, dressed in classical style and surrounded by an ornate circular seal border. Two matching star-shaped denomination frames containing the numeral '2' flank the central design symmetrically on both left and right sides. Throughout both sides, intricate geometric and floral scrollwork patterns fill the background, exemplifying the high-quality engraving standards of Revolutionary-era Mexican currency.
FRONT: 'Gobierno Provisional de México' (Government of Provisional Mexico) / 'Serie A' (Series A) / 'México 1.º de Mayo de 1916' (Mexico May 1st, 1916) / 'Dos Pesos' (Two Pesos) / Serial number: 2360432 with series letter L / 'El Tesorero General' (The General Treasurer) / 'El Subsecretario de Hacienda' (The Under-Secretary of Finance). BACK: 'Este Billete Circulará' (This note will circulate) / 'Conforme al Artículo de 3 de Abril de 1916' (In accordance with the article of April 3, 1916) / Denomination numeral '2'.
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), the standard security printing method for banknotes of this era. The fine line work, detailed geometric patterns, ornamental scrollwork, and the sharp clarity of impressions visible in both portraits and background designs are characteristic of hand-engraved intaglio plates. The printer for this particular issue was the Secretaría de Hacienda (Mexican Ministry of Finance); these notes were likely produced domestically rather than by international security printers, which was typical for provisional government emergency currency issues.
Variety designation P-S711a indicates this is the Series A issue. The visible serial number 2360432 with series letter L identifies this as an individual specimen from the standard production run. Known varieties for this 1916 issue primarily involve different series letters and serial number combinations. The red rectangular stamp visible on the reverse of this specimen may indicate bank handling or a collector's acquisition mark but does not constitute a significant cataloged variety. The May 1, 1916 date on all examples of this type is constant.
