5 centavos 1914
About This Note
This is a VF-graded 5 centavos note from the Gobierno Constitucionalista de Mexico issued in 1914 during Mexico's Revolutionary period. The pink/magenta note features a classical standing male figure on the obverse and the Mexican national eagle on the reverse, both rendered in dark purple/black printing. The note shows significant circulation wear with creasing and fading throughout, along with a prominent cancellation mark across the center, making it an interesting example of Revolutionary-era Mexican currency from a politically tumultuous period.
common. The 5 centavos 1914 Constitutionalist issues were produced in substantial quantities during the Revolutionary period, and surviving examples in circulated grades are readily available to collectors. While the Revolutionary period adds historical interest, these notes do not command premium prices and are commonly encountered in the numismatic market. The VF condition grade with cancellation marks indicates heavy circulation, which is typical for these denominations.
This note was issued by the Constitutionalist Government during the Mexican Revolution, a period when competing factions issued their own currency. The classical male figure depicted likely represents a personification of the Mexican state or a historical figure relevant to the revolutionary cause, while the reverse eagle emblem reinforces the Republican and national identity. The 'TRANSPORTE' designation on the obverse suggests this denomination may have had specific circulation purposes related to transportation or commerce during the conflict.
The obverse features a standing male figure in classical Greco-Roman robes, holding a staff or scepter, positioned in profile facing left within a rounded rectangular border frame. This figure likely represents Liberty, Justice, or another allegorical virtue associated with the Mexican state. The reverse displays the Mexican national eagle (águila) with fully spread wings in a heraldic pose, centered within the same rounded rectangular frame design. Both sides employ symmetrical border designs and corner denomination markers. The color scheme throughout is a distinctive pink/magenta with dark purple/black text and design elements, typical of smaller denomination Revolutionary-era Mexican notes.
Front Side: 'TRANSPORTE' (Transportation), 'GOBIERNO CONSTITUCIONALISTA DE MEXICO' (Constitutionalist Government of Mexico), 'SERIE W' (Series W), 'No.' (Number), Serial number '3830457', '5¢' (Five centavos). Back Side: 'REPUBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic), 'VALE 5 CENTAVOS' (Worth 5 centavos), '5¢' (Five centavos).
This note was produced using letterpress or typography printing, evidenced by the crisp, clean lines of the text and the uniform density of the dark purple/black impressions against the pink/magenta colored paper stock. The relatively simple design without complex intaglio security features is consistent with smaller denomination emergency currency issued during the Mexican Revolution. The specific printer for this Constitutionalist Government issue is not definitively attributed in standard catalogs, though many such notes were produced by various regional printing facilities.
This note is identified as Series W with serial number 3830457. The series designation and serial numbering system can be used to identify other varieties of this issue. The prominent cancellation mark visible across the center of the note may indicate this example was removed from circulation or deactivated, which was a common practice with some Revolutionary-era Mexican currency. Collectors should note that series and cancellation mark variations exist within this Pick number designation.
