50 centavos 1916

Uncommon. While Mexican revolutionary-period emergency issues from state treasuries are collectible, this specific unlistied Pick number from Oaxaca's June 1916 issue appears to have had limited circulation and survival. The fact that it remains unlistied in standard catalogs despite clear official authorization and serial numbering suggests limited documentation and collector awareness. However, the denomination and issuing authority (state rather than federal) indicate this was not a major emergency issue, and surviving examples are not exceptionally scarce.

During the Mexican Revolution, state governments frequently issued emergency currency and bonds to maintain fiscal operations when federal currency was unavailable or unstable. The Oaxaca State Treasury's June 1916 issue represents this practice, with the official decree explicitly granting 'forced circulation and unlimited redemption power throughout the entire territory of the State.' The purple/magenta state seal and heraldic imagery on the decree document underscore the official nature of this authorization during a period of significant political and economic disruption.

This emergency currency consists of two printed documents on aged tan/beige paper, representing the authorization and implementation of 50-centavo emergency currency by Oaxaca State. The payment voucher (front) features denomination markings at top left and right, with a centered authority statement in black and dark blue/gray ink promising payment to bearer in cash. The document is authenticated with handwritten signatures from treasury and accounting officials. The accompanying decree document (back/related) displays an official state coat of arms or seal featuring heraldic imagery (including what appears to be an eagle motif) impressed in purple/magenta ink on the left side. Both documents identify the issuing authority as La Tesorería General del Estado (The General Treasury of the State) and specify the Tlaxiaco location and June 1916 date. The series designation 'F' and sequential numbering (061222) indicate a controlled distribution system.

Front (Payment Voucher): '50 cts' (50 cents - top left and right); 'La Tesorería General del Estado' (The General Treasury of the State); 'PAGARA al portador, en efectivo,' (WILL PAY to the bearer, in cash,); 'CINCUENTA CENTAVOS' (FIFTY CENTS); 'Tlaxiaco, 26 de Junio de 1916' (Tlaxiaco, June 26, 1916); 'El Tesorero E.' (The Treasurer E.); 'El Contador E.' (The Accountant E.). Back (Decree/Bond): 'Estado L. y S.de Oaxaca,' (State L. and S. of Oaxaca,); 'SERIE-F' (SERIES-F); 'NUM.061222' (NUMBER 061222); 'BONO de circulación forzosa y con poder liberatorio ilimitado en todo el territorio del Estado.' (BOND of forced circulation and with unlimited redemption power throughout the entire territory of the State.); 'Decreto de 24 de Junio de 1916' (Decree of June 24, 1916).

These documents were produced using standard letterpress printing on aged laid or wove paper stock, with denomination numerals and text set in period-appropriate typefaces. The official state seal on the decree document was applied using a separate purple/magenta colored ink stamp or seal press, indicating a multi-step printing and authentication process. Handwritten signatures and numerals were added by hand after printing to personalize and authorize individual payment orders, a common practice for Mexican revolutionary-era emergency currency.

Series F, Number 061222 noted. The specific date of issue (June 26, 1916 on the voucher; decree dated June 24, 1916) establishes this as part of a June 1916 emission. The Tlaxiaco location designation on the voucher may indicate regional distribution or administration. The two-document format (decree establishing authority followed by actual payment voucher) represents the complete administrative record of this emergency issue. The 'E.' initials on the signature lines appear to be abbreviated surnames, possibly indicating specific treasury and accounting officials who authorized this particular batch.