5 pesos 1910
Market Prices
About This Note
A scarce 5 Pesos note from Banco Oriental de Mexico dated November 23, 1910, issued during Mexico's Revolutionary period by the American Bank Note Company. The note displays excellent engraving detail with a portrait of Esteban de Antunano on the obverse and the Cathedral of Puebla on the reverse, characteristic of ABNC's high-quality work. Despite moderate circulation wear and age-related patina visible in the images, the note retains strong impressions and legible signatures, representing an important regional Mexican banknote from the tumultuous 1910 era.
Common. While this is a regional Mexican banknote from the significant 1910 date, eBay market data shows comparable examples trading in the $29.99-$145.00 range, with most circulated examples under $50 USD. The Pick catalog lists this as a regular issue (P-S381c) with a documented circulation period of 3.2.1910-24.4.1914, indicating substantial production runs. The abundance of pricing data points and the lack of premium valuations for this specific note type despite its historical significance all indicate common availability in the collector market. The F (Fair) condition grade observed would place this note at the lower-value end of market ranges.
Banco Oriental de Mexico operated from Puebla during a critical period in Mexican history—November 1910 marked the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution. The note's imagery reflects regional pride, featuring Esteban de Antunano, an important Puebla industrialist and economic figure, alongside the iconic Cathedral of Puebla. The Latin inscription 'God protect you with his angel' reflects the religious heritage and conservative banking practices of the era, while the American Bank Note Company printing underscores foreign confidence in Mexican regional banking institutions during the early stages of revolutionary turmoil.
The obverse features a formal oval portrait of Esteban de Antunano at left, depicted in 19th-century formal attire with suit jacket and collar, flanked by ornate baroque decorative elements and corner ornaments including heraldic shields with Roman numeral 'V'. The denomination 'Cinco Pesos' is prominently displayed in the center with the bank name in gothic script. The right side presents an oval-framed architectural vignette of the Cathedral of Puebla with its distinctive twin spires, a symbol of regional importance and religious authority. The note incorporates baroque scrollwork, floral motifs, and a complex decorative border structure. The reverse displays an elaborate orange-red design featuring a large central circular seal with radiating ornamental patterns and the Mexican coat of arms in dark green on the right side. Handwritten signatures for three officials (Manager, Government Inspector, and Counselor) appear on the obverse, with red-printed serial numbers. The overall design reflects ABNC's signature high-security engraving style with intricate cross-hatching throughout.
FRONT: 'EL BANCO ORIENTAL DE MEXICO' (The Oriental Bank of Mexico) / 'Cinco Pesos en Efectivo' (Five Pesos in Cash) / 'pagará al portador, en esta ciudad, á la vista' (will pay to bearer, in this city, on sight) / 'Puebla, 23 de Noviembre de 1910' (Puebla, November 23, 1910) / 'Serie R CICVIL' (Series R CICVIL) / 'GERENTE' (Manager) / 'INTERVENTOR DEL GOBIERNO' (Government Inspector) / 'CONSEJERO' (Counselor) / 'American Bank Note Co. New York' / Serial number: 255567. BACK: 'MEXICO' / 'BANCO ORIENTAL DE MEXICO' (The Oriental Bank of Mexico) / 'CONSERVETINONI DEUS VIS TIBI ANGELIS SVS DEVS' (God protect you with his angel - Latin) / 'American Bank Note Co. New York' / Additional text 'CUANGOS' (unclear/variant).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving and steel plate printing) as indicated by the fine line work, cross-hatching, and detailed baroque ornamental patterns visible throughout. Produced by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), New York, as printed on both obverse and reverse. Multi-color printing evident from the color specifications in the catalog (black on orange and yellow underprint for obverse; orange for reverse), achieved through multiple plate passes or chromolithographic techniques common to ABNC in the 1910 period. Security features including intricate engraved borders and fine detail work were designed to prevent counterfeiting.
Series R CICVIL as observed on this specimen. The note is dated November 23, 1910, placing it in the early production window of the documented circulation period (3.2.1910-24.4.1914). Serial number 255567 is documented. Variations in this Pick number are primarily indicated by series letters (A-Z designations) and date ranges within the 1910-1914 period. This specimen represents the 'R' series, which may have specific scarcity characteristics within the broader issue. The 'CICVIL' designation (possibly Series R Civil) appears consistent with the government-regulated banking structure of early Revolutionary Mexico.
