5 pesos 1914
About This Note
This is an AU-graded 5 peso banknote issued by the Provisional Government of Mexico from Veracruz on December 10, 1914, during the tumultuous Mexican Revolution. The note features exceptional engraved design work with the iconic Mexican eagle and cactus vignette on the front and an elaborate coat of arms medallion on the back, rendered in black/cream and green color schemes respectively. Despite visible age-related patina, red stamps, and minor creasing, the note remains well-preserved with crisp engraving detail and good color fidelity, making it a desirable example of revolutionary-era Mexican currency.
Common. The Provisional Government of Mexico's 1914 Veracruz issue was produced in substantial quantities to meet currency demand during the revolutionary period. While these notes are historically significant, they were widely circulated and significant quantities survive. The Pick catalog listing (P-S1105) does not indicate a restricted print run or rarity status, and examples in various grades appear regularly in the numismatic market. AU-grade examples command modest premiums over lower grades but remain accessible to collectors.
This note was issued during the Mexican Revolution by the Constitutionalist faction's Provisional Government established in Veracruz, reflecting the political fragmentation of Mexico in 1914. The prominent Mexican national symbols—the eagle on cactus (Águila Mexicana) and coat of arms—assert sovereignty and legitimacy during a period of civil conflict and competing governmental authorities. The dual decree references (September 6 and September 19, 1914) reflect the rapid succession of decrees needed to authorize emergency currency during the revolution.
The obverse features an ornate symmetrical design centered on an oval vignette depicting the Mexican national eagle (Águila Mexicana) with spread wings perched upon a cactus, set against a landscape with mountains and water in the background—the iconic imagery of the Mexican coat of arms. To the left sits an allegorical female figure representing Liberty (Libertad), rendered in classical style with raised arm. The denomination '5' appears in elaborate decorative cartouches in the upper left and lower right corners. The entire design is enclosed within an intricate black-line border with ornamental flourishes. The reverse features a centralized medallion containing the full Mexican national coat of arms—eagle on cactus with serpent in beak—surrounded by radiating sunburst lines and elaborate symmetrical scrollwork and floral ornaments. Denomination cartouches containing '5' occupy all four corners. The color palette alternates between the black/cream front and green/cream reverse, typical of early 20th-century Mexican currency design.
FRONT: 'GOBIERNO PROVISIONAL DE MEXICO' (Provisional Government of Mexico); 'VERA CRUZ, DICIEMBRE 10 DE 1914' (Veracruz, December 10, 1914); 'SERIE B' (Series B); Serial numbers 464925 and 4344258; 'EL TESORERO GENERAL' (The General Treasurer); 'EL D.M. ENCARGADO DE LA Sma DE HACIENDA' (The D.M. In Charge of the Treasury Department); 'LA TESORERIA RECIBIRÁ Y PAGARÁ ESTE BILLETE DE ACUERDO CON EL DECRETO DE 6 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1914' (The Treasury will receive and pay this note in accordance with the Decree of September 6, 1914). BACK: 'ESTE BILLETE CIRCULARÁ PARA DE ACUERDO CON EL DECRETO DE 19 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1914' (This note will circulate in accordance with the Decree of September 19, 1914); 'REPÚBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), as evidenced by the fine detail work, intricate border patterns, ornamental scrollwork, and the characteristic sharp precision of the vignette and allegorical figures observed in the visual analysis. The security features—including the complex symmetrical patterns and fine engraving throughout—are consistent with high-quality banknote engraving typical of American Bank Note Company or similar security printers contracted by the Mexican government during this period.
This specimen is identified as Series B, with serial number 464925 (and additional serial marking 4344258), issued December 10, 1914 from Veracruz. Known varieties for this Pick number include different series designations and date variations within the 1914 authorization period. The specific combination of Series B, the dual decree references (September 6 and September 19, 1914), and the December 10 issuance date represent the standard variety for this denomination. Red overprint stamps visible on this specimen likely indicate post-circulation processing or treasury markings rather than a distinct variety.
