20 pesos 1915

Common. State-backed emergency currency from the Mexican Revolution, while historically significant, was produced in substantial quantities to facilitate regional commerce during the period of central government weakness. The AU condition grade and Series I designation do not indicate rarity; these notes, though now over 100 years old, survive in reasonable numbers in collections focused on Mexican Revolutionary currency. The specific serial number 43223 suggests a moderately low issue number but does not confer scarcity. Without evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or exceptional survival rates, this Pick number should be assessed as common within its type.

Issued during the tumultuous Mexican Revolution, this state-backed currency from Sinaloa was authorized by decree on February 22, 1915, when federal control over monetary policy was contested and regional governments exercised semi-autonomous financial powers. The allegorical imagery on the reverse—featuring Liberty figures flanking a coastal landscape with a sailing ship and mountainous terrain—represents Sinaloa's geographic and economic identity as a maritime state, while the central shield represents state sovereignty. These regional emergency emissions reflect the decentralized monetary chaos characteristic of Mexico's revolutionary period.

The obverse features two male portrait medallions—the left depicting a figure in formal attire with bow tie surrounded by laurel wreaths, the right showing a bearded gentleman in formal dress flanked by botanical wreaths. The central vignette displays an allegorical winged female figure (representing Justice or Liberty) holding a sword, rendered in elaborate baroque style with ornate lettering spelling 'VEINTE PESOS.' The reverse presents a more elaborate scenic composition: two allegorical female figures (representing Liberty and Prosperity) frame a central shield containing a panoramic coastal landscape with sailing vessel, mountainous terrain, and distant cityscape. A sunburst or radiating emblem anchors the composition, with an eagle emblem visible in the shield design. Both sides employ ornamental corner designs and decorative border patterns consistent with high-security currency design.

FRONT: 'EL ESTADO LIBRE Y SOBERANO DE SINALOA' (The Free and Sovereign State of Sinaloa) | 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR EN EFECTIVO' (Will pay the bearer in cash) | 'VEINTE PESOS' (Twenty pesos) | 'SERIE I' (Series I) | 'CONFORME AL DECRETO DE FECHA 22 DE FEBRERO 1915' (In accordance with the decree dated February 22, 1915) | 'SAN BLAS, SIN.' (San Blas, Sinaloa) | Official titles: 'GOBERNADOR CONSTITUCIONAL' (Constitutional Governor), 'TESORERO GENERAL' (General Treasurer), 'SECRETARIO GENERAL' (General Secretary), 'INTERVENTOR' (Auditor/Inspector) | Serial number: 43223 | BACK: Denomination marker '20' (Twenty)

Intaglio engraving (steel engraving/line engraving) throughout, evidenced by the fine-line work, intricate border patterns, and detailed portraiture. The uniform depth of line work and ornamental complexity indicates professional currency security printing typical of established Mexican printing houses of the period. The consistent quality and fine detail work suggest production by a specialized currency printer, likely Mexican Bank Note Company (Compañía de Billetes de Banco de México) or a similar established security printer operating in Mexico during 1915.

Series I designation noted. Serial number 43223 observed. The decree date of February 22, 1915, is fixed and does not vary. Regional Sinaloa emissions may exist with different signature combinations or serial number prefixes reflecting different officials serving as Constitutional Governor, General Treasurer, General Secretary, and Auditor/Inspector. Researchers should note any variations in these four signature lines, as successive administrations would have issued notes with differing authorized signatory combinations during the Revolution's fluid political circumstances.