5 pesos 1914
About This Note
This is a Mexican Federal Treasury Bond (Obligación Provisional del Erario Federal) denominated 5 pesos, issued July 25, 1914, during a turbulent period of Mexican history. The note features an impressive ornate design with a prominent eagle emblem in a circular medallion on the obverse, printed in black and red on cream stock, with detailed decorative borders and fine line engraving throughout. In Fair condition, the note displays typical aging characteristics including foxing and light creasing, yet remains legible with clear printing—a desirable example of Mexican emergency currency from the Mexican Revolution era.
Common. Mexican Federal Treasury Bonds from 1914 were issued in substantial quantities to address currency shortages during the Revolution. The Pick catalog designation P-S714 represents a standard issue without indication of limited print runs or early recall. Notes from this series appear regularly in the collector market. The Fair condition grade is typical for notes of this age and circulation history, further suggesting this is a commonly encountered example rather than a scarce variety.
This provisional obligation was issued by the Mexican Federal Treasury during the Mexican Revolution, a period of severe financial disruption when traditional currency supplies were inadequate. The note explicitly references its guarantee by Federal Treasury Bonds redeemable in Mexican gold at 6% annual interest from 1914 to 1924, reflecting the government's attempt to stabilize finances and restore confidence during political turmoil. The eagle emblem, central to Mexican national identity since Aztec times and featured prominently in the circular medallion, reasserts federal authority and legitimacy during a time when Mexico's government institutions were under considerable strain.
The obverse features a formal classical design centered on a large circular medallion containing a detailed engraving of the Mexican National Eagle with wings spread, surrounded by the text 'Estados Unidos Mexicanos.' This eagle, the primary symbol of Mexico's coat of arms, symbolizes national sovereignty and continuity. The note employs an ornate decorative border with intricate scrollwork and repeating pattern elements in the corners, typical of early 20th-century treasury bonds. Text indicating the 5 peso denomination and payment promise appears on the right side, with a red circular seal or official stamp adjacent. The reverse continues the formal aesthetic with an ornate border in blue/teal featuring geometric and floral patterns, and displays a large red circular seal with eagle emblem in the center, surrounded by terms and conditions printed on a lined background. The color scheme of black, red, and blue printing on cream stock creates a visually authoritative and secure appearance befitting a government obligation.
OBVERSE: 'Estados Unidos Mexicanos' (United Mexican States); 'Obligación Provisional del Erario Federal' (Provisional Obligation of the Federal Treasury); 'Letra B' (Letter B); 'No. 132135' (Serial number); '$ 5.00 (CINCO PESOS)' (Five Pesos denomination); 'La Tesorería de la Federación pagará al portador' (The Treasury of the Federation will pay the bearer); 'Esta Obligación está garantizada con Bonos del Tesoro Federal, amortizables en oro mexicano, 6% al 1914 al 1924, por lo cual a su valor, conforme al Decreto de 6 del corriente, será amortizable en los términos que dicho Decreto dispone.' (This Obligation is guaranteed with Federal Treasury Bonds, redeemable in Mexican gold, 6% from 1914 to 1924, for which at its value, in accordance with the Decree of the 6th instant, shall be redeemable under the terms that said Decree provides); 'México, julio 25 de 1914.' (Mexico, July 25, 1914); 'El Tesorero' (The Treasurer); 'El Subtesorero Contador' (The Assistant Treasurer Accountant); 'OFICINA IMPRESA DE ESTAMPILLAS - MEXICO' (Official Stamp Printing Office - Mexico). REVERSE: 'Esta Obligación es de admisión obligatoria en toda la República y en toda clase de pagos, y en consecuencia, es de poder liberatorio en cantidad ilimitada para cualesquiera clase de obligaciones, incluso el pago de impuestos de la Federación, de los Estados y de los Municipios.' (This Obligation is of mandatory admission throughout the Republic and in all classes of payments, and consequently, is of liberatory power in unlimited quantity for any class of obligations, including the payment of taxes of the Federation, of the States and of the Municipalities).
The note was produced using intaglio engraving, evidenced by the detailed fine line work, cross-hatching, and the crisp reproduction of complex decorative borders and the eagle medallion. The multiple color printing (black, red, and blue on separate passes) and the ornate scrollwork patterns are characteristic of security printing by the 'Oficina Impresa de Estampillas' (Official Stamp Printing Office) in Mexico, as credited on the obverse. The fine engraved lines and detailed borders served both aesthetic and security purposes, making counterfeiting more difficult.
This specimen is identified as Letra B (Letter B) with serial number 132135, indicating it belongs to a lettered series. The date is July 25, 1914, consistent with the initial issuance of these provisional obligations. Different letter designations (Letra A, B, C, etc.) may represent separate printing runs or batches, though significant premium value is not typically associated with letter varieties of this issue. The presence of signature lines for 'El Tesorero' (The Treasurer) and 'El Subtesorero Contador' (The Assistant Treasurer Accountant) suggests this may be unissued or bearer form, characteristic of the standard printing for this series.
