5 pesos 1915
About This Note
A handsome example of a 5 pesos banknote issued by the Estado de Sonora in 1915, printed by the American Bank Note Company. The note displays crisp engraving with dual male portraits and ornate central design on the front, and features the Mexican coat of arms on the reverse printed in green. While the note shows age-appropriate foxing and cream discoloration consistent with its 110-year history, it maintains strong visual appeal and represents an important piece of Mexican Revolutionary-era state currency.
Common. Estado de Sonora 1915 emissions of lower denominations such as 5 pesos were produced in substantial quantities and survive in reasonable numbers in collector hands. The Pick catalog designation (P-S1072) indicates this is a well-documented and relatively frequently encountered issue. No evidence suggests an unusually small print run or significant recall that would restrict availability.
This note was issued on January 19, 1915, during the turbulent Mexican Revolution when several state governments issued their own currency. The Estado de Sonora's emissions were authorized under Decree Number 13 of August 27, 1913, reflecting the decentralization of monetary authority that occurred as federal control weakened. The prominence of the Mexican eagle and shield on the reverse, combined with bold proclamations of Sonora's status as a 'Free and Sovereign State,' underscores the quasi-autonomous posture many northern Mexican states adopted during this period of political upheaval.
The obverse features a formal, symmetric design with two distinguished male portraits—one bearded gentleman on the left and one with a prominent mustache on the right—positioned flanking a central ornamental seal displaying the denomination 5. Both subjects wear formal suits and ties, representing the state's administrative authority. The design is framed by decorative geometric borders and includes corner ornaments. The reverse presents a more ceremonial composition, dominated by a large central circular seal containing Mexico's national coat of arms (the eagle and shield motif), with 'CINCO PESOS' in bold capitals at the top and ornate corner numerals. The red institutional stamp in the upper left indicates official government authorization. The black and red front contrasts sharply with the green and white reverse, a common feature of American Bank Note Company productions of this era.
FRONT: 'ESTADO DE SONORA' (State of Sonora); 'PAGADORA AL PORTADOR EFECTIVO' (Payable to Bearer in Cash); 'CINCO PESOS' (Five Pesos); Serial number '13519'; 'HERMOSILLO, SONORA'; 'MÉXICO, ENERO 19 DE 1915' (Mexico, January 19, 1915); 'SERIE I' (Series I); 'CONFORME AL DECRETO NÚMERO 13 DE FECHA 27 DE AGOSTO DE 1913' (In accordance with Decree Number 13 dated August 27, 1913); 'EL GOBERNADOR' (The Governor); 'EL SRIO. DE ESTADO INT' (The Secretary of State); 'EL TESORERO GRAL.INT.' (The General Treasurer); 'EL INTERVENTOR' (The Auditor/Comptroller); 'American Bank Note Co. New York'. BACK: 'CINCO PESOS' (Five Pesos); 'REPÚBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic); 'ESTADO LIBRE Y SOBERANO DE SONORA' (Free and Sovereign State of Sonora); 'ESTADO DE SONORA'; 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, NEW YORK'.
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), as evidenced by the fine line work, precise geometric borders, ornamental details, and the characteristic crispness of the portrait and central designs. The note was produced by the American Bank Note Company of New York, a premier security printer of the era. The dual-color printing (black/red on front; green/white on back) was executed using separate plates and passes through the press, a standard technique for banknotes of high security value.
This specific note is identified as Series I ('SERIE I'), printed on January 19, 1915, with serial number 13519. The note carries signatures or authorization marks for the Governor, Secretary of State, General Treasurer, and Auditor/Comptroller, as indicated on the face. Variations may exist in signature types, serial number ranges, and state of wear, but this represents a straightforward example of the primary issue variety without known overprints or major modifications.
