Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 02 e

In my article on the 1-peso note from Mexico ( see 1-peso note ), I made a simple grid, with all possible letter combinations.
The non-emitted combinations were marked in black, and so I ended with some 225 existing combinations for the 1-peso note.

The same basic grid was used for all possible series of the 5-peso note.
When only the existing series are left over, the grid becomes workable:

5 peso grid 1925-1970

 to be continued...

Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 02 d

The story of the 5-peso 'la Gitane' goes on... 

type 3.5: as the previous note but serial number only 6 digits

Gitane 3rd emission type 5

according Pick : 4th emission, 1st of the 3 subtypes (a); 1st of 3 different dates (19 I 1953)
according DD : 5th of the 7 subtypes - series DK to DN (CC to DJ were omitted)

specifications:
-  serial numbers letter + 6 digits

type 3.6: as the previous note but series in red

Gitane 3rd emission type 6

according Pick : 4th emission, 2nd and 3rd of the 3 subtypes (b and c); 2 dates in 1954 
    - b. DW to DZ (10 II 1954) and
    - c. EI to EP (8 IX 1954)
also according Pick: 5th emission, 1st of 11 subtypes (a)  - date 19 VI 1957 - series FW and FX
according DD : 6th of the 7 subtypes - series DW-DZ, EI-EP, FW and FX (other series omitted)

specifications:
- SERIE and serie letters are now written in red and the word is no longer curved

type 3.7: as the previous note but series in red

Gitane 3rd emission type 7

according Pick : 5th emission, 2nd till 11th of the 11 subtypes (b to k); 10 additional dates between 1957 and 1970
    - b : 24 VII 1957 : series GQ and GR
    - c : 20 VIII 1958 :  series HC to HJ
    - d : 18 III 1959 : series HS to HV
    - e : 20 V 1959 : series IQ to IT
    - f : 25 I 1961 : series JO to JV
    - g : 8 XI 1961 : series LC to MP
    - h : 24 IV 1963 : series AIE to AJJ
    - i : 27 VIII 1969 : serie BGJ
    - j : 19 XI 1969 : series BGK to BGT
    - k : 22 VII 1970 : series BIG to BII
according DD : last of the 7 subtypes (regardless the different dates)

specifications:
- in the date marking on the left, "MÉXICO, D. F." is added
- not mentioned series do not exist

Now let us have a closer look at 4 notes that belong to the same type (DD type 7) and the same subtype according Pick (0060 g - date 8 November 1961):

4 5-peso notes from the same 'type'

when zooming in to the signatures: 
Signature 3 is identical in all 4 notes,
signature 2 is identical in the top two notes, but different from the bottom two notes
signature 1 is identical in the top two notes, but diffenent in the second note, and again diffent in the third note...

identical and different signatures within one type

To make the confusion fun complete, we take a look at the reverse side of those 4 notes:

reverse side of the same 4 notes

What supposingly was one note: subtype 0060 g for Pick - becomes 4 different notes in type DD (Mexican numbering).

seal and ornament
in 4 different colours

The depicted 4 notes are examples from serie LU (orange), MG (ocre), MO (violet) and MM (green)

Reasons enough to collect notes per series, to enrich your collection.

to be continued... 

Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 02 c

The Gitane of the 3rd emission (1937-1970)

type 3.1: the original note

Gitane 3rd emission type 1

according Pick : 3rd emission, 7 out of 12 subtypes (a to g); all different dates
according DD : 7 subtypes till end of 1945 - series M, N, O, P, Q, R and S to Z

specifications:
-  similar to previous issue:
    - date (abbreviated) is mentioned twice, series is mentioned twice
    - serial number with letter and 7 numbers
    - central signature with "Interventor De Gobierno" 
- new extra serial letters and numbers (twice)
- serie letter is in itallic

type 3.2: as the previous note but date not abbreviated

Gitane 3rd emission type 2

according Pick : 3rd emission, 8th from the 12 subtypes (h); 14 VIII 1946
according DD : 1 subtypes only in 1946 - series AA to AK

specifications:
- serial letters now double: starting with AA - again in non-itallic script
- date is not abbreviated

type 3.3: as the previous note but change of title in the 2nd signature

Gitane 3rd emission type 3

according Pick : 3rd emission, 9th and 10th from the 12 subtypes (i - j); 1947 and 1948
according DD : 2 subtypes : 1947 - series AL to AZ and 1948 - series BA to BT

specifications:
- beneath the middle signature now : "Interventor De La Comisión Bancaria"

type 3.4: as type 3.3 but change of date in US-style : month / day / year

Gitane 3rd emission type 4

according Pick : 4th emission, 11th from the 12 subtypes (k); 1949
according DD : series BU and BV

specifications:
- extra serial/plate numbers are omitted again

type 3.4bis: as type 3.4 but change in date : day / month / year

Gitane 3rd emission type 4bis

according Pick : 3rd emission, last from the 12 subtypes (l); 1950
according DD : series BY to CB (series BW and BX were skipped)

specifications:
- date back in day-month-year form

to be continued...

Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 02 b

The banknote 'la Gitane' had a lifespan of over 45 years.
As a consequence of this, there are a huge amount of notes that were put in circulation, but are very often found in 'heavily circulated' condition. Although a 5-peso note is among the lower denominations, (nearly) uncirculated notes, hit solid prices.
The 'exotic lady' on the design will surly have added to the popularity of the note.

What was stated for the 1-peso note (see : 1-peso note ) is also here valid.
1 - The note can be collected as a single note 'a 5 peso note'.
3 - A small variation with 3 notes is also possible, one for each emission (1925, 1936 and 1936-37).
4 - Following Pick-numbering, without going deeper into diffenent dates
12 - One piece of each type (following Doune Douglas) that was issued, over the 3 emissions
36 - Extended Pick-numbering, with one note for each issued date
?? - or the long and winding road by collecting all different series ...

The Gitane of the 1st emission (1925-1935)

type 1.1: the original note

Gitane 1st emission type 1

according Pick : 1st emission, subtypes a to d
according D. Douglas (DD) - emission 1 - type 1

characteristics :
- serial number only numbers
- Pick mentions 4 different subtypes (by dates) - serie B is not mentioned
    - 1 IX 1925 - serie A (B ?)
    - 1 VIII 1931 - serie C
    - 30 IV 1932 - serie D
    - 22 VI 1932 - serie E
- serie A - E according DD - serie B is not mentioned, but also not omitted

type 1.2: the original note - letter added to serial number

Gitane 1st emission type 2

according Pick : 1st emission, subtypes e to g
according D. Douglas (DD) - emission 1 - type 2

characteristics :
- serial number also has a letter
- Pick adds 3 more dates - DD adds 3 series
    - 18 I 1933 - serie F
    - 9 VIII 1933 - serie G
    - 7 III 1934 - serie H 

type 1.2: the original note - as type 2, but no date

Gitane 1st emission type 3

according Pick : 1st emission, subtypes h
according D. Douglas (DD) - emission 1 - type 3

characteristics :
- no date mentioned on the note - serie I

The Gitane of the 2nd emission (1936)

type 2.1: the original note

Gitane 2nd emission type 1

according Pick : 2nd emission, only one type
according D. Douglas (DD) - emission 2 - type 1

characteristics :
- date is mentioned twice now (1 IV 1936)
- serie J

All of the above notes are quite expensive
The 3rd emission is more elaborated (1937-1970)

to be continued... 

Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 02 a

In the same series as the 1-peso note depicting the Aztec Solar stone, a 5-peso note was issued. 

This series however started earlier, already in 1925 (1st emission) and 1936 (2nd emission). The 1-peso note was introduced in the 3rd emission of notes (1937-1970).
This style of 5-peso note, was used till 1970, when all notes were renewed in the 4th emission.

The 5-peso note is commonly known as 'la Gitana' (the Gypsy). 

'la Gitana' on 5-peso notes

With the founding of the Bank of Mexico, in 1924, Finance Minister Alberto J. Pani was involved in the creation of the bank, as well as the development of the Mexican financial system. Remember that we still speak of the 'United States of Mexico', and before the creation of a "central bank of Mexico", noumerous notes from different states (Chihuahua, Sonora, Tabasco, ....) were in circulation.

Alberto J. Pani in 1922

It is said, that Pani not only showed interest in finances but also in the famous Catalan-Spanish artist Gloria Fauré who was 'performing' in Mexico in the mid 20's of the previous century.
Fauré, who is said to be Pani's mistress, was not unspoken when the 5-peso note was introduced, and soon the rumour spread, that Pani picked her as a model for the newly emitted banknote.

picture of Gloria Fauré

The image chosen for the banknote however, was created in 1910, by Mr. Robert Savage as a stock vignette and was titled ‘The Ideal Head of an Algerian Girl’. The 5-peso banknotes were issued from 1925, so 15 years later.
Since Gloria had a younger sister, and 'accidentaly' the third note in this series also depicted a young girl, people linked the two ladies, to the two new notes. And it is here that two stories got mixed up. 

On the back side of the banknote, similar to the 1-peso note, is the Angel of Independence depicted.

5 peso detail

to be continued... 

Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 01 e

So far a whole new range of banknotes-to-discover might have caught your attention now.
Trust me, it only get worse.
Did I say 'worse' ... of course I mean 'more interesting'.
As for the higher denominations in this series, it truly gets excited.

But back to the 1 peso.
The original serie start with serie A (and no date) -  the last note, issued in July 1970, belongs to serie BIP.
Serie A till Z, makes 26 different series, then followed by AA till AZ, another 26 series, then BA to BZ...
The 'double' letters end with ZZ, and are followed by AAA, where the story restarts, till the final serie BIP.

No higher mathematics are needed, to know that thus there are 62 series A... to BI..., with each 26 letters.
A total of 1612 combinations.
As the last serie ends in BI..P and not in BI...Z, there are 16 combinations less, or 1596....

Helas, not all serie letters were used, some were destroyed (deleted), some just skipped, and who knows, some might not even have been discovered...

I made a grid with a worksheet (if you are familiar with formulas, the grid can be made in less than 5 minutes).

The full grid takes only 2 pages, and can be used for the banknotes that will be topic of future posts.
(Just a waring ... some issued go beyond the BIP serial letters....) 

If you are looking for a 1 peso note from series AAA or BBB, or LL, MM, NN, OO, PP, QQ, ... unfortunately they do not exist (or at least they are not mentioned in any catalog).

The use of the I and O is not omitted in this emission.
Although there were no notes printed in series O..., serie IA, IB and IQ till IZ do exist.
In later denominations, those letters were omitted, to avoid being mistaken for 0 and 1.

In the image below, the grid with the existing and non-existing series are visible.
All omitted rows are non-exisiting series.

the 1 peso - grid

What is leftover, is about 225 different series to collect.

If you want, you can add a proof note (no serie mentioned, no serial number...) - a specimen note (serial number 00000 and red overprint 'SPECIMEN'.
Finally there is a very rare note with date : 7.VII.1943 (series L) ... 

to be continued... 

Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 01 d

So far I wrote about the different designs of the 1-peso note of Mexico, issued between 1936 and 1970.
here you can find the specific differences and how various catalogs deal with them.

Athough I have not mention all possible print dates on the notes yet, I'm still miles away from the more or less 225 possible variations.

No worries, we are getting there...   

First of all, the printing dates, compared to the Pick numbering, as they are less important following DD's system.

Type 1 (DD) :  no date mentioned (issued between 1936 and 1943) - Pick 028a, b, c and d
Type 2 (DD) : 14.VI.1943 - Pick 028e
Type 3 (DD) : 7.VII.1943 - Pick 038a --- 1.IX.1943 - Pick 038b --- 17.I.1945 - Pick 038c
Type 4 (DD) : 12.V.1948 - Pick 038d

Type 5 (DD) : 22.XII.1948 - Pick 046a --- 26.VII.1950 - Pick 046b
Type 6 (DD) : 10.II.1954 - Pick 056a --- 8.IX.1954 - Pick 056b

Type 7 (DD)
    - 19.VI.1957 - Pick 059a
    - ------------- - Pick 059b (deleted)
    - 4.XII.1957 - Pick 059c
    - 20.VIII.1958 - Pick 059d
    - 18.III.1959 - Pick 059e
    - 20.V.1959 - Pick 059f
    - 25.I.1961 - Pick 059g
    - 8.XI.1961 - Pick 059h
    - 9.VI.1965 - Pick 059i
    - 10.V.1967 - Pick 059j
    - 27.VIII.1969 - Pick 059k
    - 22.VII.1970 - Pick 059l  

With a bit of luck a total of 25 different notes are in the above list...

Now two images to explain why there are many more :

2 banknotes type 6 (DD) - Pick 056b

In the image above, two banknotes from the same type 6 - or Pick 056b.
Signatures 1 and 2 are different on both notes, signature 3 is the same.
As a consequense of the different signatures, also the word : CONSEJERO (advisor) has moved.

Type 6 DD - Pick 056b two variations

Another example :

This time, 3 notes from type 7 (DD) - as mentioned earlier, some notes have series with double letter combinations, but these notes have a 3-letter combination.
Date is 10.V.1967 - Pick numbering : 059j 

Type 7 DD - Pick 059j three variations

Although the middle banknote is in poor quality, it is clear, that both signatures 1 and 2 are different on each note, only the last signature is the same on the 3 notes.

It might become clear, that with a little bit of effort, suddenly a wide range of new discoveries lay ahead. 

As it is nearly impossible to list up all signature variations, and from which serial number they start, the most common way (Mexicans) collect these notes, is by looking for series (in the last example BEA, BDK and BDC).
This makes it a lot easier to sort notes, and putting them in alphabetical order, also means, they are sorted by issuing date, as the whole set starts with serie A...

to be continued....

Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 01 c

For the 1-peso note, you can choose to collect one note or 225 notes. (see also here)
As it is a low value banknote, and the amount of printed notes is huge (from 1936 till 1970), it should not be too difficult to find a good amount of these notes to compare and collect.

1 peso note overall appearance

As shown above, if one note of each denomination suits you, then one note will do the trick.

Of course this would be a lost of valuable variations to your collection, so let us have a deeper look.
(Images below were taken from the "Guía de Billetes 1925-2019" issued by the Bank of Mexico, as well as from my own collection).

7 modifications of the designs :

type 1: the original note

according Pick : 1st emission, subtypes a to d
according D. Douglas (DD) - type 1 (regardless the subtypes)

Specifications : 
- no date mentioned, also no city (i.e. Mexico D. F.)
- the word 'serie' is written in a circular form, and can be found next to the serial number
- above the serial number (7 or 8 digits), the word N° is mentioned
- the central signature has the text : "Interventor De Gobierno" 
- behind signature 1 and 3 "UN" is written

type 2: the original note with date

according Pick : 1st emission, subtypes e
according DD - type 2 (regardless the subtypes)

Specifications : 
- one date mentioned: 14.IV.43 but no city (i.e. Mexico D. F.)
- only 7 digits in the serial number

type 3: the original note with date, minor modifications

according Pick : 2nd emission, subtypes a to c (dates)
according DD - type 3 (regardless the subtypes)

Specifications : 
- the word N° is no longer there
- behind the signatures we find UNO and no longer UN
- various dates (> see subtypes Pick - less relevant for subtypes DD)

type 4: the original note with date, serial number with subseries

according Pick : 2nd emission, subtypes d
according DD - type 4 (regardless the subtypes)

Specifications : 
- the serie consist of 2 letters AA to AJ
- the serial number gets an additional letter (except I and O) - therefore only 6 numbers in the serial
- under the central signature, "Interventor De La Comisión Bancaria" is written from now on
- date on the note is 12.V.48 

type 5: modificated note

according Pick : 3rd emission, subtypes a and b (dates)
according DD - type 5 (regardless the subtypes)

Specifications : 
- on the top of the note now : EL banco de Mexico S.A.
- different dates (subtypes for Pick) - less relevant for DD 

type 6: modificated note

according Pick : 4th emission, subtypes a and b (dates)
according DD - type 6 (regardless the subtypes)

Specifications : 
- the word 'SERIE' and the serial letters are no longer next to the serial number.
- the word 'SERIE' is now in red and on a straight line
- dates are February and September 1954 

type 7: modificated note with mentioning Mexico D.F.

according Pick : 5th emission, subtypes a to l (dates)
according DD - type 7 (regardless the subtypes)

Specifications : 
- above the date (1957 and later), the city is mentioned : MEXICO, D.F., (only above the left date)
- some serial letters are 2 digits, some are 3 (till BIP) 

to be continued... 

Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 01 b

previous post : part 1

Part 2 of the story on the 1-peso note, issued between 1936 and 1970:

Reverse side of the 1-peso note

Throughout the existence of the 1-peso note, the reverse side of the banknote remains the same all the time. For the several subtypes of this banknote, only the front side of the note will of interest.

In the middle of the banknote, we find an image of the monument of Independence, commonly known as 'the Angel' of Independence.

It is actually an image of Niké, the greek goddess of Victory, holding a laurel crown in the right hand.
The left hand holds a broken chain with 3 links, symbolizing the 3 centuries of Spanish domination.

Angel of Independence

Angel of Independence

It can be found at the Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City. A 14 km long avenue from the Chapultepec Hill (in the Aztec language Nahuatl : the hill of the grasshopper) to the city centre. The original idea was to extend this boulevard to the central square (Plaza de la Constitución). 

At the bottom of the monument, there are 4 statues, symbolizing Law, War, Justice and Peace.
Below the column, the remains of many of the Mexican heroes are stored.
When inaugurated in 1910, 9 steps led to the base of the monument. Because Mexico City was built on a swamp, causing the ongoing sinking of the ground, 14 addional steps have been added since.

Now back to the banknotes...
Depending on how one likes to collect,  you can go for the following options:

- 1 banknote : the 1-peso note
- according Krause (Pick numbers) : 5 different designs
- according Krause (id.) with sub numbering : 25 designs (including different dates)
- the Mexican way : collecting different series : 225 variations

to be continued... 

 

Mexican banknotes... a never ending story... 01 a

If you are into a challenge, then the banknotes of Mexico, are something that will keep you busy for a while. In the next posts, I will try to reveil some of the 'secrets' behind the history of the Mexican banknotes. 

Let me start with the banknotes that were in use after the second world war.

The story starts a little bit earlier, as the 1 peso notes, at that time, were introduced in 1936. 

1 peso note 1967

In the centre of the note, we see the Aztec stone of the Sun.
Not to be confused with the 'Maya calender'.

Aztec vs Maya civilizations

The Mayas were situated in the south of what is now Yucantán, Mexico.
Their civilisation is way older then the Aztec culture, which can be situated in the wider area around Tenochtitlán, currently Mexico-city.
Although both civilisations, were not known as being connected in trade or cultural perspective, there are parallels in the way they were artistic, religious and scientific.

The design in the middle of the 1-peso note, is the Aztec sun stone, and in a way, it is also a kind of calender, but more in a ceremonial rather than a practical way.

detail 1-peso note

The stone was discovered in December 1790, by workers who were working on the land that would become the 'Plaza Mayor' (considered as the 'central square' of Mexico city - Plaza Zócalo, Plaza de la Constitución or even Plaza de Armas). 
This square was already the ceremonial centre of the Aztec' civilisation, and was the area in front of the mayor temple, of which the remains are still visible now.

Remains of the Templo Mayor

When the giant stone was discovered, the church authorities did not want the the pagan artefact to be shown to the public, but the Mexican Antropologist, Antonio de León y Gama, succesfully argued that this object had such a historic and artistic value, that it should be displayed for future generations.

Nowadays, the stone can be visited at the National Museum of Antropology in Mexico-city.

Entrance of the Museum of Antropology

Piedra del Sol - Mexico City

The Aztec 'Piedra del Sol' is a 23 ton basalt monolith, with a diameter of more than 3 m.
According the museum's guide, the nose of the central figure is missing, as the conquistadores in the 16th century used the face to aim to, for shooting practice. For them, the Solar stone was unimportant, as it dissapeared from the history books till it was rediscovered in 1790.

The original stone was actually very colourful, as shown in the image above.
The central circle, shows the image of Tonatiuh, which means '(god of) the sun' in the Aztec language Náhuatl. Tonatiuh is considered to be the most important of the Aztec gods.

5 gods in the centre
of the Solar Stone

Surrounding the central image, there are 4 more gods: from left to right and top to bottom: Wind, Jaguar, Fire and Water.

In the second circle, we see 20 images, representing 20 days.
According the Aztec, there were 13 days in a week (trecena).
The year started with day 1 + day symbol 1. Next day was day 2 with day symbol 2.
After one 'week' of 13 days, they restarted the second trecena (or Tonalpohualli) , but as there are 20 day symbols, the first day of the second 'week' had day symbol 14.
The 8th day of the second week, was connected to the first day symbol again.
As such, a full cycle had 20 times 13 days, or 360 days.
They were aware that a year had 365 days, so the 5 'spare' days were considered as extra. Those days were supposingly used for offering to the gods.

20 Aztec symbols for 20 days

Around the 20 symbols for the days, is another circle, symbolising the solar rays.
The whole is surrounded by serpents, protecting the calendar.

to be continued...

Album pages common designs - 2b. 1978 25th anniversary of the Coronation

Some remarks on the printings of the 'House of Questa'...

One 'commom' item on all sheetlets, is the name of the printing company : 'The House of Questa'.
This 'house of Questa', printed stamps from 1966 till 2002, mainly for countries that resort under the British Commenwealth.

In case of the 25th anniversary of the Coronation, the full name 'The House of Questa' is mentioned on all sheetles, in exactly the same spot.
All issues were clearly printed in the same company, located near London. 

The House of Questa

Many other issues were printed by that company, some bare the name and a logo of a Q-shaped balloon, some mention only 'Questa'.

In the printing below, we find the printer colour marks Cyan Yellow Magenta Black and Grey in the same 'balloon' style. In the margin above we also see "QCSPL" : Questa Colour Security Printing Limited.

As it is a private company that printed many stamps (also some doubtful issues and cinderellas), many questions rise on the validity of some printings. 
Not only may the stamps have been printed in quantities that exceed the actual ordered amounts, also questionable print errors, test printings, or suspicious overprints are circulating.

The history of the House of Questa, and the Format International Security Printers, is a topic worth reading. Hereby I like to refer to the following site : House of Questa - Format International 

Some caution in buying expensive proofs, errors, ... from Questa's printings is therefore recommended.
This also counts for the numerous emissions of the 'Leaders of the World' - trains and cars.
All 'issued' by small entities as Tuvalu, Nevis, Grenada, .... and their islands.
The 'Bernera / Davaar' issues are purely private emissions, issued by this company

Bernera Islands

Davaar Island

to be continued...