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...