20 pesos 1898
Market Prices
About This Note
This is a 20 pesos banknote from Banco Yucateco (Peninsular Mexicano) dated March 1898, issued in Merida. The note features classical allegorical female figures in the central vignette with ornate decorative borders and both red overprinting. The specimen shows significant age-related patina with foxing and discoloration throughout, consistent with authentic late 19th century Mexican currency, and represents an important regional bank issue from the late Porfirian era.
Common. The eBay price tracking data shows F-grade examples selling at $157.00 USD, with UNC copies at $35.96 USD, indicating active collector market presence. Multiple UNC sales at $4.99-$9.99 USD suggest adequate supply. Regional Mexican bank notes from this era, while historically significant, were produced in substantial quantities and remain relatively available to collectors. The Banco Yucateco/Peninsular Mexicano issues do not appear in numismatic literature as scarce or rare varieties.
This note was issued by Banco Yucateco during Mexico's Porfirian period (1876-1911), when regional banks maintained the right to issue currency backed by federal authority. The allegorical female figures represent Union and prosperity, themes common to late 19th century Mexican banknote design. The use of American Bank Note Company engraving reflects Mexico's financial modernization and integration with international banking practices during this period.
The obverse presents two allegorical female figures in classical Greco-Roman dress positioned in the central vignette, representing Union and the prosperity of the Yucatan region. A secondary vignette on the right depicts additional figural interaction. The design employs elaborate corner ornaments with '20' denomination numerals positioned upper left and right. Floral botanical elements and classical urns frame the central composition. The reverse displays a highly symmetrical ornamental design featuring a large decorative cartouche containing the denomination '20' in red/pink, surrounded by scalloped border patterns, geometric designs, and fine engraved detailing characteristic of high-security banknote production.
FRONT: '20' (denomination numerals in corners), 'BANCO YUCATECO' (Yucatecan Bank), 'MERIDA' (city of issue), 'Marzo 1898' (March 1898), 'SERIE OM' (Series OM), 'veinte pesos' (twenty pesos), 'pagara al portador en efectivo' (will pay to bearer in cash), 'a la vista' (on demand/on sight), 'Nº 28830' (serial number 28830), 'American Bank Note Co., New York' (printer attribution). BACK: 'BANCO' (Bank), 'YUCATECO' (Yucatecan), '20' (denomination in central cartouche), 'American Bank Note Company, New York' (printer attribution).
Intaglio engraving by American Bank Note Company of New York, executed with intricate line work, cross-hatching, and multiple vignette blocks to prevent counterfeiting. The note incorporates red overprinting for the bank name and denomination elements. The fine quality of the engraved borders, detailed figural work, and complex geometric patterns on the reverse are hallmarks of American Bank Note Company's sophisticated security printing of the 1890s.
This note is cataloged as Pick S460a, representing the 1895-1902 issue period with a specific date of March 1898. The specimen examined shows Series OM with serial number 28830. The catalog references it as an overprint on Pick S469. Regional variations in series letters, serial number ranges, and overprint colors may exist within the 1895-1902 issuance period, though standard Pick catalog designation suggests this represents the primary variety for the denomination and issuing bank during this period.
