50 centavos 1914
About This Note
This is a 50 centavos banknote issued by the Estado de Chihuahua in 1914, representing a fascinating piece of Mexican Revolutionary-era currency. The note exhibits the characteristic aging of an early 20th-century circulated banknote, with visible foxing, yellowing, and creasing throughout, yet remains legible with all major design elements intact. The front features ornate green borders with denomination medallions, while the reverse displays the Mexican national eagle within a circular frame and includes a red wax seal impression dated April 30, 1915—a notable feature that reflects the emergency and transitional nature of this state-issued scrip.
Common. Estado de Chihuahua fractional currency from 1914 was issued in substantial quantities to meet the need for small-denomination currency during the Revolutionary period. While these notes are historically significant, they are not scarce in the numismatic market. The Pick catalog number P-S528e specifically identifies this as one of several varieties of the Chihuahua 50 centavos issue, and circulated examples are regularly available to collectors. The condition grade of UNC (uncirculated) would be more desirable than the circulated state observed in these images, but the denomination and issuer do not command premium prices typical of rare Revolutionary notes.
This Chihuahua state note was issued under military decree on February 10, 1914, during the height of the Mexican Revolution when federal currency was scarce and regional authorities issued their own fractional denominations. The red wax seal and subsequent date stamp (4-30-15) suggest this note was validated or processed through official channels months after its initial issue, indicating its circulation and use during a tumultuous period of Mexican history. The prominent eagle emblem and 'República Mexicana' inscription maintain the appearance of legitimacy despite the state-level issuance, reflecting attempts to maintain confidence in currency during civil conflict.
The obverse features an ornamental design with green-tinted borders and corner medallions, each containing the numeral '50' within floral-patterned circular cartouches. The denomination is prominently displayed as 'CINCUENTA CENTAVOS' in large text, with multiple overprinted administrative markings indicating the state issuer and decree authority. The reverse displays the Mexican national eagle (águila mexicana) in its traditional heraldic pose with wings spread, enclosed within an ornate circular frame centered on the note. Four corner medallions mirror the obverse design, each containing '50'. A distinctive red wax seal impression appears on the left side of the reverse, likely applied as a validation or processing mark, with an adjacent date stamp reading '4-30-15'. The overall design maintains formal, engraved characteristics typical of legitimate currency rather than emergency scrip, with symmetrical layouts and classical ornamentation.
Front Side: 'CINCUENTA CENTAVOS' (Fifty Centavos) - primary denomination; 'ESTADO DE CHIHUAHUA' (State of Chihuahua); 'PARA LA' (For the); 'PAGARÁ AL ORADOR EN FEBRERO' (Will pay to the bearer in February); 'SERIE U' (Series U); 'CONFORME AL DECRETO MILITAR DE FECHA 10 DE FEBRERO DE 1914' (In accordance with the military decree dated February 10, 1914); 'CHIHUAHUA, CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO'; Serial number: '3336300'; 'GOBERNADOR' (Governor); 'INTERVENTOR' (Interventor). Back Side: 'REPÚBLICA MEXICANA' (Mexican Republic); 'ESTADO LIBRE Y SOBERANO DE CHIHUAHUA' (Free and Sovereign State of Chihuahua); '50' / 'CINCUENTA CENTAVOS' (Fifty Centavos); Date stamp: '4-30-15' (April 30, 1915); Official marking: 'ULE-S'.
The note exhibits characteristics of intaglio engraving combined with lithographic overprinting. The fine-lined borders, ornamental patterns, and central eagle emblem show the hallmarks of engraved work typical of security printing practices of the era. The denomination medallions and decorative elements appear to be engraved, while the administrative overprints ('ESTADO DE CHIHUAHUA' and other text) were added subsequently, likely through lithography or letterpress. The red wax seal appears to be a hand-applied or stamp-applied validation mark rather than printed. For this Chihuahua issue, the specific printer is not definitively known from the visual analysis, though Mexican Revolutionary-era state notes were often produced by regional printing facilities under emergency conditions.
This note is identified as Pick S528e, indicating it is part of a numbered series of Chihuahua state notes. The 'SERIE U' marking visible on the front identifies the specific series. The serial number '3336300' (printed in red) is part of the sequential variety identification. The presence of the red wax seal with the date '4-30-15' suggests this is a validated or processed example, potentially distinguishing it from unvalidated specimens of the same issue. The overprint text and layout are consistent with the standard 50 centavos design of this state issue, with variations likely existing in serial numbers, seal dates, and signature lines (as indicated by the 'GOBERNADOR' and 'INTERVENTOR' signature areas).
