20 pesos 1910

Common. eBay market data shows most examples trading in the $1.99–$35.96 USD range, with only isolated outliers at $129–$380, suggesting these are overpriced or misgraded listings. The note was issued during a period of significant Mexican banking activity (1909–1914 printing window), and Banco Oriental de Mexico was not a short-lived or specialized issuer. The VG condition grade and visible circulation wear are consistent with moderately available historical material. No evidence of small print runs, recalls, or rarity status in the catalog data.

Banco Oriental de Mexico issued this note during a turbulent period in Mexican history, just months before the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in May 1910. The Liberty monument prominently featured on the obverse reflects the post-Reform era's emphasis on republican and liberal ideals, while the note's issue from Puebla—a major commercial center—underscores regional banking authority during the final days of the Porfirian regime. The ABNC printing and formal government oversight inscriptions ('INTERVENTOR DEL GOBIERNO') document the sophisticated banking infrastructure that would soon be disrupted by revolutionary upheaval.

The obverse displays a classical allegorical female figure representing Liberty standing on a pedestal at left, rendered in the neoclassical style favored by late 19th-century Mexican banking imagery. The right side features an oval-framed portrait of Estebán de Antúnano, a prominent Puebla merchant and industrialist who symbolized the progressive commercial class. The denomination '20' and 'VEINTE PESOS' appear multiple times in ornate cartouches with extensive decorative scrollwork and geometric borders. The reverse showcases a large central shield seal containing what appears to be an architectural landmark (likely representing Puebla's heritage or the bank's fortress-like stability), surrounded by symmetrical ornamental elements, corner medallions, and the Latin security inscription 'ANGELIS SVIS DEVS.' The overall design employs fine-line cross-hatching and intricate engraving throughout, creating a visually complex and difficult-to-counterfeit composition typical of ABNC work.

FRONT SIDE: 'EL BANCO ORIENTAL DE MEXICO' (The Oriental Bank of Mexico) | 'PARA AL PORTADOR, EN ESTA CIUDAD A LA VISTA' (To the bearer, payable in this city at sight) | 'VEINTE 20 PESOS' (Twenty 20 pesos) | 'EN EFECTIVO' (In cash) | 'PUEBLA, 3 de Febrero de 1910' (Puebla, February 3, 1910) | 'INTERVENTOR DEL GOBIERNO' (Government Interventor) | 'CONSEJERO' (Councillor) | Serial number: 'No 41376' | Signature: 'M. Gonzalez'. BACK SIDE: 'ANGELIS SVIS DEVS' (God to His Angels—Psalm 91:11 reference) | 'LIBERTAD Y ORDEN' (Liberty and Order) | '1909-1910' (date reference) | 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, NEW YORK' (printer attribution).

Engraved intaglio printing on bank note paper, executed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC) of New York, as documented on the reverse. The process involved steel plate engraving with fine line work, cross-hatching, and detailed scrollwork to create security through complexity. The black engraving appears on a colored underprint (brown on obverse per catalog, with pink and purple tinted areas visible), a hallmark of ABNC's multi-plate printing technique that added security and aesthetic appeal.

This specific example is dated February 3, 1910, from Puebla, with serial number 41376 and signed by M. Gonzalez (Government Interventor). The Pick catalog designates this as P-S383c, indicating it is part of a cataloged series with known varieties. Variations for Banco Oriental de Mexico 20 Pesos notes may exist in signature combinations, date ranges within the 1909–1914 window, and serial number prefixes. The handwritten date and signature style confirms this as a legitimate issued note rather than a remainder or unissued example, making it representative of the standard circulation variety.