20 pesos 1914
Market Prices
About This Note
This is a VF-grade 20 pesos banknote issued by the Provisional Government of Mexico (Veracruz) on August 15, 1914, during Mexico's tumultuous Revolutionary period. The note features an elegant classical female allegorical figure on the obverse with a dramatic mountainous landscape vignette, while the reverse displays a radiating sun emblem characteristic of Mexican constitutional imagery. Despite visible age-related wear, creasing, and foxing consistent with circulation, the intricate engraved designs remain largely legible and the note retains its historical appeal as a product of one of Mexico's most politically significant periods.
Common. While this note was issued during a politically volatile and transitional period by a provisional government authority, the eBay price data provided shows a wide range of market activity ($29.99 to $697.79 USD) with multiple sales at modest prices (including circulation examples at under $150), indicating robust supply in the collector market. The series D variety and serial number 324809 observed on this specimen do not correspond to any documented rare or highly limited printing run. Provisional government issues from 1914 Mexico, while historically significant, were issued in sufficient quantities to be regularly available to collectors. VF-grade examples command moderate premiums over lower grades but remain common relative to the overall population of Mexican Revolutionary-era notes.
This note was issued under the Provisional Government of Mexico based in Veracruz during a critical transitional moment in the Mexican Revolution, specifically referencing the Constitutional Decree of September 19, 1914. The classical allegorical female figure and patriotic eagle symbolize the revolutionary government's aspirations for constitutional order and national renewal. The repeated references to constitutional authority and the Treasury Secretariat reflect the provisional government's effort to establish legitimacy and financial stability during a period of intense civil conflict.
The obverse features a neoclassical female allegorical figure representing either Liberty or the Mexican Nation, positioned at left in classical robes with outstretched arm, likely holding agricultural or constitutional symbols such as a laurel wreath. The central oval vignette depicts a mountainous Mexican landscape with a snow-capped peak, valley vegetation, waterway, and an eagle in flight—all potent symbols of Mexican national identity and constitutional authority. The constitutional emblem or seal appears in the lower left, reinforcing the provisional government's constitutional legitimacy. Decorative cartouches display the denomination '20' on both left and right sides. The reverse shows a striking radiating sun emblem in a circular design, a traditional Mexican symbol of national renewal and constitutional authority, surrounded by ornate mauve and rose-colored floral and geometric borders. The overall design employs high-quality symmetrical neoclassical ornamentation reflecting pre-Revolutionary Mexican banknote aesthetics.
FRONT SIDE: 'GOBIERNO PROVISIONAL DE MEXICO' (Provisional Government of Mexico) / '15 DE AGOSTO DIECIOCHO DE 1914' (August 15, 1914) / 'Nº 324809' (Serial Number 324809) / 'SERIE D' (Series D) / 'EL TESORERO GENERAL' (The General Treasurer) / 'ELC.M. ENCARGADO DE LA Sria. DE HACIENDA' (The C.M. in charge of the Treasury Secretariat) / 'LA TESORERIA RECIBIRÁ Y PAGARÁ ESTE BILLETE DE ACUERDO CON EL DECRETO DE 19 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1914' (The Treasury will receive and pay this note in accordance with the Decree of September 19, 1914) / 'MEXICO' (Mexico) / 'CONSTITUCION 1914' (Constitution 1914) / 'OFICINA DEL GOBIERNO' (Government Office). BACK SIDE: 'SECRETARIA DE HACIENDA' (Treasury Secretariat) / 'SELLADO' (Sealed) / 'ESTE BILLETE CIRCULA PARA DE ACUERDO CON' (This note circulates in accordance with) / 'DEL DECRETO DE 19 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1914' (the Decree of September 19, 1914) / 'REPUBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic).
The note was produced using traditional intaglio engraving (line engraving and vignette techniques) typical of high-quality government security printing of the period. The intricate border patterns, fine line work throughout, ornate scrollwork, and detailed landscape vignette are all characteristic signatures of intaglio production. Based on the Pick catalog designation and historical records of Mexican government banknotes from this era, this note was likely produced by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), a primary security printer for Mexican currency during the pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary periods, though the provisional government context may have involved alternative facilities.
This specimen is Series D with serial number 324809, dated August 15, 1914. The Pick catalog designation P-S113 may encompass multiple series (A, B, C, D, etc.); this note represents the Series D variety. The specific decree reference (September 19, 1914) and Treasury Secretariat authorization signatures present on this note are consistent with the standard issued variety for this denomination and date. No overprints, emergency markings, or unusual cancellation marks are visible, indicating this is a straightforward circulation example rather than a specimen, proof, or recalled/invalidated note variant.
