5 pesos 1915
About This Note
This 5 pesos note from the Gobierno Convencionista de Mexico (1915) presents a fascinating example of Mexican revolutionary-era currency with allegorical imagery. The front features Justice personified as a seated female figure with scales and sword, while the reverse displays ceremonial seals and decorative geometric patterns in blue and red. In AU condition, the note shows expected age-related foxing and discoloration typical of early 20th-century paper currency, yet retains good detail visibility and the integrity of its design elements.
Common. This Pick S909a represents a provisional issue from the Conventionalist government with likely moderate print runs for circulation throughout designated states. Conventionalist notes from 1915 are well-represented in collector markets, and 5 pesos denominations were standard working currency. While historically interesting, the relative abundance of surviving examples and lack of documented scarcity in catalogs support a common classification. The AU grade condition enhances individual specimen value but does not elevate the Pick number itself to rarity status.
Issued during Mexico's tumultuous Conventionalist period under the Gobierno Provisional Guerrerense in October 1915, this note reflects the constitutional legitimacy claimed by competing revolutionary factions. The prominence of Justice symbolism and the formal constitutional decree language demonstrate how even provisional governments sought to project institutional authority through carefully designed currency. The serial stamps and multiple seals indicate efforts to establish control and prevent counterfeiting during a period when various Mexican authorities were issuing their own banknotes.
The obverse features an allegorical representation of Justice as the central motif—a classical female figure in flowing robes, seated or reclining in contemplative pose, holding the balance scales in one hand and a sword in the other. To the right is an ornate heraldic emblem featuring an eagle, consistent with Mexican coat of arms imagery. The entire design is framed by an intricate geometric border pattern. The reverse displays a formal layout with a blue circular seal on the left containing heraldic imagery, a prominent red circular stamp or official seal in the upper right (likely an authorization or inspection mark), and a centered rectangular text panel containing the circulation decree. Additional decorative glyphs or calendar-like symbols appear on the right side. Both sides utilize black and blue inks on tan/beige paper stock.
FRONT: 'Gobierno Constitucionalista de Mexico' (Constitutional Government of Mexico). 'Vale provisional al portador por la cantidad de cinco pesos que serán garantizados en el Departamento de Caja de la Tesorería de la Federación' (Worth provisionally to bearer for the amount of five pesos that will be guaranteed in the Department of the Treasury Box of the Federation). 'Decreto Constituido de Billetes' (Constitutional Decree of Banknotes). 'expedidos por el Gobierno Provisional Guerrerense, octubre 12 de 1915' (issued by the Provisional Government of Guerrero, October 12, 1915). BACK: 'Este billete circulará en todos los Estados de la República conforme al decreto dado en Cuernavaca el día 10 de octubre de 1915' (This banknote will circulate in all the States of the Republic in accordance with the decree issued in Cuernavaca on October 10, 1915). Serial number: No 060353z.
The note appears to have been produced using letterpress or intaglio printing methods, typical of early 20th-century Mexican banknote production. The quality variations in ink impression and the faded appearance in certain areas suggest single-pass or multi-stage letterpress work. The geometric borders and allegorical imagery show characteristics consistent with engraved dies, while the application of the red seal stamp was likely applied separately in a final processing step. The printer for this Conventionalist issue is not definitively attributed in available records, though Mexican and potentially international security printers produced such notes during the revolutionary period.
This specimen carries serial number 060353z on the reverse. The note is identified as Pick S909a specifically, reflecting the 'a' variety designation within the 5 pesos 1915 issue. Known varieties of this pick may include different serial number ranges, signature variations, or minor design alterations reflecting different batches or production runs. The October 12, 1915 date on the obverse and reference to the October 10, 1915 Cuernavaca decree on the reverse help identify this as from the initial Conventionalist issuance. Collectors should note distinguishing features such as seal types and inscription details when cataloging different print varieties within this series.
