5 pesos 1914
About This Note
A 5 pesos banknote issued by the Estado de Durango in August 1914 during the Mexican Revolution, featuring an allegorical female figure in classical dress on the obverse and ornate circular seals on the reverse. The note displays characteristic period printing in black and red on the front with blue on the back, and shows honest wear consistent with its age—yellowing paper, faded inks, and visible creasing typical of circulated Revolutionary-era currency. Series E with red overprints and signatures of Governor Domingo Arrieta and Treasurer José Colomo make this a historically significant example of regional Mexican wartime currency.
Common. Revolutionary-era Mexican state banknotes from 1914, particularly those from Durango in Fair condition, remain relatively common in the collector market. The Estado de Durango issued multiple series (indicated by 'SERIE E') with substantial print runs to serve regional monetary needs during the Revolution. Notes with serial numbers in the 80,000+ range suggest significant circulation and production volume. While historically significant and popular with Mexico specialists, these notes do not command premium prices and regularly appear in dealer inventories and auctions.
The Estado de Durango issued this note during the chaotic Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), when state governments and military factions produced their own currency due to central government instability. The allegorical female figure holding a torch symbolizes liberty and progress, common iconography in early 20th-century Mexican official currency. The reference to the 'Constitutional Period of the Republic' on the reverse reflects the legitimacy claims various Revolutionary factions made to constitutional authority, with signatures of Durango's state officials (Governor Domingo Arrieta and Treasurer José Colomo) providing local governmental backing.
The obverse features a classical allegorical female figure positioned on the left side, representing Liberty or Progress, dressed in Greco-Roman style clothing with an ornate headpiece and holding a torch or staff—typical iconography for Mexican early Republican currency. The figure is flanked by decorative rosette patterns in the corners. An eagle emblem appears in the upper left area, referencing Mexico's national symbol. The denomination 'CINCO PESOS' is repeated around the decorative border as a security measure. The reverse displays an austere, formal design with two ornate circular seals or medallions containing heraldic elements positioned symmetrically on either side of central cursive text. Geometric and wavy line patterns form the decorative framework, reflecting the engraving aesthetics typical of Mexican Revolutionary-period currency.
FRONT: 'El Estado De Durango' (The State of Durango) | 'Pagará al portador la cantidad de' (Will pay to the bearer the amount of) | 'CINCO 5 PESOS' (Five 5 Pesos) | 'CINCO PESOS CINCO PESOS CINCO PESOS' (Five Pesos - repeated around border) | 'SERIE E' (Series E) | 'AGOSTO DE 1914' (August of 1914) | 'No. 81491' (Serial number) | 'El Gobernador' (The Governor) | 'El Tesorero' (The Treasurer) | 'Domingo Arrieta' (Governor's signature) | 'José Colomo' (Treasurer's signature) | BACK: 'Conforme estuviéramos encuadrada por el Periodo Constitucional de la República' (In accordance as we were framed by the Constitutional Period of the Republic)
Steel engraving and letterpress printing. The front displays fine-line engraving work characteristic of high-security currency production, with black primary printing and red overprints applied separately. The reverse uses blue ink with similar engraved geometric patterns and ornamental seals. The repetitive border text and complex decorative elements indicate professional bank note engraving, likely produced by a Mexican security printer contracted by the state of Durango. The combination of engraved portraiture, geometric patterns, and applied overprints was standard security practice for Revolutionary-era Mexican state banknotes.
Series E variety with red overprints. Serial number 81491 indicates this is from a later printing of the series. The specific signatures of Domingo Arrieta (Governor) and José Colomo (Treasurer) are consistent with Durango's 1914 administrative leadership. Red overprints are visible but show age-related staining and discoloration. Collectors should note that the same denomination was issued in multiple series by Durango; this Series E represents one of the documented varieties for the P-S736 pick number, with the 'e' designation in P-S736e indicating this particular series/variety.
