2 pesos 1942

Common. The eBay price data shows a wide range of sales ($6.36 to $130 USD) with most transactions clustering in the $14.95 to $70 range, indicating strong collector demand but abundant supply. The serial number range of 1 to 50,000 for this pick number suggests a substantial print run. Multiple examples appear regularly in the secondary market, and the note's VG condition grade places it in a typical range for circulated examples. Emergency currency from Philippine provinces in 1942 was produced in practical quantities to meet wartime circulation needs, making these notes common in collector circles today.

This note was issued on January 13, 1942, during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, when the Commonwealth government authorized provincial treasuries to issue emergency currency backed by deposits with the Philippine National Bank. The Negros Occidental provincial issue represents a local monetary solution during a period of severe disruption to normal banking and currency circulation. The formal inscription routing payment 'against the deposit of the Provincial Treasurer of Negros Occidental with the Philippine National Bank, Bacolod Branch' reflects the emergency financial mechanisms implemented during wartime occupation.

The obverse features a classical bank note layout with the issuer name at the top (Commonwealth of the Philippines) and province designation (Negros Occidental) prominently displayed. The note lacks portrayed individuals or landmarks, instead relying on formal typography and decorative elements for its design authority. A continuous diamond-pattern border frames the note on all sides, providing visual security through intricacy. The central text is printed in black on a beige/tan background with a dark yellow underprint (per catalog data), creating layered visual complexity. Handwritten signatures from the Provincial Auditor and Provincial Treasurer appear in designated areas, authenticating the note through individual authorization. The reverse presents a minimalist aesthetic dominated by a repeating circular or ring-like geometric pattern arranged in orderly rows across the entire surface, with denomination numerals '2' and 'TWO PESOS / PESOS' stamped in the center. This geometric security pattern serves both as an anti-counterfeiting feature and a visual identifier of the note's value.

OBVERSE: 'COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES' / 'PROVINCE OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL' / 'January 13, 1942' / 'PAY TO BEARER ON DEMAND THE SUM OF TWO PESOS (PHILIPPINE CURRENCY)' / 'AND CHARGE AGAINST THE DEPOSIT OF THE PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL WITH THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, BACOLOD BRANCH' / 'SERIES OF 1942' / 'Countersigned: Provincial Auditor / Provincial Treasurer' / 'TO THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, BACOLOD BRANCH' / Denomination: '2' REVERSE: 'TWO PESOS' / '2' / 'PESOS'

This note was produced using letterpress printing, evidenced by the sharp, impressed appearance of the text and the clean diamond-pattern borders visible in the images. The dark yellow underprint mentioned in catalog data was applied separately, suggesting a multi-pass printing process. The handwritten signatures were added post-printing during the authentication process. The repeating geometric pattern on the reverse is consistent with engraved or lithographic production typical of Philippine banknote printing in the 1940s era. The printer for this Negros Occidental provincial issue would have been a local or regional printer operating under Commonwealth authority; specific security printer attribution is not definitively established for this provincial emergency series.

This note is identified as Pick S635 (Negros Occidental variety). The catalog notes indicate that both Pick S635 and S636 share the serial number range 1 to 50,000, with the distinction likely relating to signature combinations or minor design variations between the two picks. The date of January 13, 1942 is consistent across the series. The specific signatures present on this example would constitute a minor variety, as different provincial officials would have countersigned notes at different times. The 6mm height numerals on the back noted in catalog data appear consistent with this example's reverse denomination markings.