20 pesos 1889

Uncommon. This is an unlisted Pick number representing a private scrip instrument from a specific regional issuer in Mérida during a limited period (1889). Private regional scrip from 19th-century Mexico, particularly from individual merchants or financiers like Benito Aznar/Azuaga, had limited circulation and retention rates. The specific serial number (1945) and the small geographic scope of issuance suggest a finite print run for this particular cheque book or batch. While not extremely rare, these instruments are less commonly encountered than official government issues of the same period, and survival in UNC condition further enhances its relative scarcity within the category of Mexican private scrip.

This 1889 scrip issued by Benito Aznar reflects the economic development of Mérida during the late 19th century, when regional merchants and financiers supplemented official currency with private instruments to facilitate commerce. The street scene vignette depicting urban commercial activity with multiple modes of transportation illustrates the bustling commercial environment of Mérida at that time, likely representing the city's role as a major trading center. The lithographic production by the American Bank Note Company of New York underscores the period's reliance on U.S. security printing expertise and the integration of Mexican regional finance with international banking standards.

The obverse features an elaborate pink/mauve decorative border with fine floral and geometric scrollwork framing a central historical vignette depicting a street scene in 19th-century Mérida. The vignette shows multiple figures in period dress engaged in commercial transactions, with various horse-drawn carriages, wagons, and carts indicating mercantile activity, set against a backdrop of multi-story colonial and commercial buildings characteristic of Yucatecan urban architecture. Large ornate '20' numerals in cartouches occupy all four corners. The reverse presents a symmetrical ornamental design dominated by large circular medallions in all corners containing '20' numerals, with a central geometric sun or starburst motif. The background features intricate repeating patterns including facial elements and 'X' designs serving as anti-counterfeiting measures, with shell or fan motifs on the sides. Both sides maintain consistent pink/mauve coloration with black printing, creating a cohesive and professional appearance.

FRONT SIDE: 'CHEQUE' (Check) | 'Nº 1945' (Number 1945) | 'MÉRIDA de [month] de 1889' (Mérida of [month] of 1889) | '20' (Twenty) | 'BENITO AZUAGA' (Benito Azuaga - note: cataloged as 'Aznar,' this inscription reads 'Azuaga') | 'SÍRVASE PAGAR AL PORTADOR EN EFECTIVO' (Please pay to bearer in cash) | 'VEINTE PESOS' (Twenty pesos) | 'American Bank Note Co, New York, Litho' (American Bank Note Company, New York, Lithography) | BACK SIDE: 'Sr. D. M. Benito Azuaga S.' (Mr. D. M. Benito Azuaga S., with Señor/Sir honorific) | 'MÉRIDA' (Merida - city name) | '20' (Twenty) | 'AMERICAS BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK. LITHO.' (Americas Bank Note Company, New York, Lithography)

This note was produced using lithography (specifically noted as 'Litho' in the printer's mark) by the American Bank Note Company of New York, one of the premier security printers of the era. The intricate fine-line engraving evident in the ornamental borders, the detailed vignette, and the complex repeating patterns on the reverse suggest a combination of lithographic stone printing with hand-engraved elements. The precision of the corner ornaments, the clarity of the portrait figures in the street scene, and the sophisticated geometric security patterns demonstrate the high-quality production standards characteristic of ABNC's work during this period.

Serial number 1945 is noted on this example, indicating this is from a numbered cheque sequence. The date inscription shows 'de [blank] de 1889,' suggesting this note was part of an undated batch or that specific dates were filled in individually. The issuer name appears as 'BENITO AZUAGA' on the front and 'Sr. D. M. Benito Azuaga S.' on the reverse, with the catalog listing 'Aznar'—this discrepancy may represent either a cataloging variation or an alternative spelling/transcription. No other documented varieties for this Pick number are currently known, as this remains an unlisted issue in standard references.