5 pesos 1916
About This Note
This is a 1916 Mexican 5 pesos banknote issued by the Tesoreria General del Estado of Yucatan during the Constitutional period, featuring classical allegorical designs on both sides. The front displays a seated classical female figure and a prominent Roman numeral V within a circular medallion, while the reverse showcases a landscape or architectural vignette in salmon-pink tones with a constitutional government seal. In Fair condition, the note exhibits age-appropriate patina and minor creasing consistent with historical circulation, with sharp engraving details still visible and no major damage.
Common. While this is a revolutionary-period regional currency that has historical significance, Yucatan's Constitutional government notes from 1915-1916 were produced in sufficient quantities to circulate widely in the region during their period of use. This denomination (5 pesos) and series are not reported as having extremely limited print runs. Notes from this issuer and period appear with reasonable regularity in the collector market, and the serial number 0289868 does not indicate an exceptionally low or high print run position. Fair condition examples remain accessible to collectors of Mexican revolutionary currency.
This note was issued under Decree No. 124 of May 24, 1915, by the Constitutional Government of Yucatan during Mexico's tumultuous revolutionary period when regional authorities issued their own currency. The imagery reflects the political legitimacy claims of the Constitutional faction, employing classical allegorical symbolism alongside governmental seals and executive signatures to establish authority. The dual-language and bilingual constitutional references on the reverse underscore the regional autonomy asserted by Yucatan's government during the breakdown of central monetary control in revolutionary Mexico.
The obverse features a classical allegorical female figure seated on the left side, representing Liberty or Mexico, rendered in fine engraved style and wearing draped neoclassical clothing. The central design element is a large Roman numeral 'V' enclosed within an ornate circular medallion frame, serving as the primary denomination indicator. An eagle emblem appears in the top left corner, referencing Mexico's national symbol. The note is bordered by intricate classical ornamentation with decorative corner pieces displaying the numeral '5'. The reverse depicts an engraved landscape or pyramid-like architectural structure in the center, possibly representing Mesoamerican heritage or a specific Yucatecan landmark. A circular seal with radiating lines appears on the left side, authenticating the Constitutional Government's authority. The overall design employs the tan/beige palette on the front and salmon-pink/coral tones on the reverse, characteristic of early 20th-century Mexican regional currency printing. Serial numbers appear in red ink for security purposes.
FRONT SIDE: 'REPUBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic) / 'ESTADO DE YUCATAN' (State of Yucatan) / 'LA TESORERIA GENERAL DEL ESTADO' (The General Treasury of the State) / 'Pagará AL PORTADOR' (Will pay to the bearer) / 'LA CANTIDAD DE CINCO PESOS' (The amount of five pesos) / 'ORO NACIONAL' (National Gold) / 'Mérida, Yuc. Mex.' (Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico) / 'EL GOBERNADOR' (The Governor) / 'EL TESORERO GENERAL' (The General Treasurer) / Serial number: 'No 0289868' (appears twice). REVERSE SIDE: 'GOBIERNO CONSTITUCIONALISTA DE YUCATAN' (Constitutional Government of Yucatan) / 'ESTE BILLETE CIRCULARA COMO MONEDA' (This note will circulate as currency) / 'AL DECRETO No 124 DE MAYO 24 DE 1915' (By decree No. 124 of May 24, 1915) / 'CINCO PESO / CINCO PESOS / CINCO' (Five pesos - repeated in various forms as border text pattern)
This note was produced using fine steel engraving techniques, as evidenced by the sharp, detailed line work visible throughout both sides despite age. The intricate border patterns, portrait work, vignettes, and allegorical designs show the hallmarks of intaglio printing, which was the standard security printing method for Mexican banknotes of this era. The red serial numbers were likely applied separately, possibly through a combination of engraved plates and selective inking. The clear definition of the fine lines, even with age-related patina, indicates professional security printing rather than lithographic production. The note was likely printed by one of Mexico's established security printers serving regional governments during the revolutionary period.
This specific note is identified as Pick S1137 and represents the standard 1916 issue from the Tesoreria General del Estado of Yucatan. Serial number 0289868 is in the mid-range for this series. No overprints, date variations, or significant printing varieties are evident in this specimen. The note represents the primary design used for this denomination during the Constitutional period in Yucatan, with no reported scarce signature combinations or denominations variations for this Pick number.
