5 pesos 1915

Common. The Gobierno Constitucionalista issued multiple denominations and series of notes in 1915-1916 with relatively substantial print runs to finance their operations during the Revolutionary period. Series C notes (as indicated by 'SERIE C' on this example) represent one of several series produced. P-S685 refers to a cataloged state but not an exceptionally scarce variety. Notes from this issuer and period are regularly encountered in collections and the market, particularly in worn to AU grades. The AU condition grade is desirable but not rare, and the specific serial number 161446 indicates standard production from the middle range of print runs.

This note was issued under the Constitutionalist Government during the Mexican Revolution, specifically authorized by decree on July 21, 1915, a pivotal moment when Venustiano Carranza's faction sought to establish monetary legitimacy for their provisional government. The iconography reflects revolutionary ideology: the indigenous figure on the obverse represents Mexico's indigenous heritage reclaimed by the revolution, while the Aztec Sun Stone on the reverse serves as a symbol of national identity and continuity with pre-Conquest Mexico. These design choices were deliberate statements distinguishing Constitutionalist currency from earlier Porfirista issues and competing revolutionary factions.

The obverse features a standing indigenous figure dressed in traditional pre-Columbian attire with an elaborate feathered headdress, positioned on the left side and holding a spear or ceremonial staff. This allegorical representation embodies the revolutionary veneration of Mexico's indigenous past. The center contains ornamental rosette or flower-shaped medallions displaying the numeral 5, while decorative corner medallions repeat the denomination. The reverse is dominated by the Aztec Calendar Stone (Sun Stone or Piedra del Sol), rendered in meticulous engraved detail showing the characteristic concentric circles and central face of the actual artifact housed in Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology. Two additional ornamental designs flank the calendar stone. The note employs black and green inks throughout with fine cross-hatching and intricate border patterns characteristic of high-security engraved currency production.

FRONT: 'REPUBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic); 'GOBIERNO CONSTITUCIONALISTA' (Constitutionalist Government); 'CINCO PESOS' (Five Pesos); 'SERIE C' (Series C); Serial number '161446'; 'EL TESORERO GENERAL DE LA NACION' (The General Treasurer of the Nation); 'EL SUBSECRETARIO DE HACIENDA' (The Under Secretary of Finance); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company). BACK: 'REPUBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic); 'ESTE BILLETE CIRCULARA CONFORME AL DECRETO DE 21 DE JULIO DE 1915' (This banknote shall circulate in accordance with the Decree of July 21, 1915); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company); 'DIRECCION DE HACIENDA' (Finance Department).

Engraved intaglio printing, executed by the American Bank Note Company, as identified by their credit line on both sides of the note. This technique involved hand-engraved steel plates producing the fine line work, complex cross-hatching patterns, and dimensional security features visible throughout the design. The precision of the indigenous figure's details, the intricate calendar stone rendering, and the elaborate border patterns are hallmarks of intaglio engraving. No evidence of lithography is present; this is a premium security-grade engraved production typical of ABNC's work for Mexican government contracts.

This note is identified as Series C based on the visible 'SERIE C' designation, one of multiple series issued under the 1915 Decreto decree. Serial number 161446 indicates a mid-range production number. The Gobierno Constitucionalista issued Series A, B, and C notes of identical design but different series letters, representing sequential production batches. No major overprints, date variations, or signature variants are observed on this example. The standardized American Bank Note Company production and consistent design across series suggest this represents the regular circulation variety rather than any special emergency or variant issue.