Name/Title
Chihuahua, Mexico 50 Peso NoteDescription
50 Peso note issued by the State of Chihuahua, during the time of the Mexican revolution.Use
During the Mexican Revolution, Pancho Villa as governor of Chihuahua established the Bank of the State of Chihuahua by decree on December 12, 1913, with the idea of supporting land reform in Chihuahua by lending money to farmers, ranchers, and small entrepreneurs at reasonable rates of interest. The Bank never began operation as intended, but instead became a holding company for confiscated lands and assets of the aristocracy. No formal issuance of the notes occurred, but a few examples made their way into circulation in 1915, being used by local militia leaders to pay their troops. This is a superb example of the iconography of currency, perfectly embodying the political spirit of those authorizing its issue.Made/Created
Bureau
American Bank Note CompanyDate made
1913Time Period
20th Century, 1910’sPlace of Origin
State/Province
ChihuahuaCountry
MexicoContinent
North AmericaBanknote Details
Banknote Type
Revolutionary BanknoteCurrency
Mexican PesoDenomination
50 pesosIssuing Authority
Bank of the State of ChihuahuaSerial Number
18611Obverse
Description
Steam locomotive and train stopped at a train station in the center, "50" on either sideTranscription
EL BANCO DEL ESTADO DE CHIHUAHUA
PAGARA AL PORTADOR EN EFECTIVO SEGUN DECRETO
DEL 12 DE DICIEMBRE DE MIL NOVECIENTOS TRECE.
CINCUENTA PESOS VALOR ORO NACIONALTranslation
The Bank of the State of Chihuahua
will pay to the holder in cash according to the decree
of the 12th of December of 1913
50 pesos in value of National goldReverse
Description
Design entirely in orange; center design Mexican national symbol of an eagle holding a snake in its beak, perched on a cactus.Transcription
BANCO DEL
ESTADO DE CHIHUAHUATranslation
Bank of the State of ChihuahuaInscription/Signature/Marks
There are three places for signatures; the Interventor del Gobierno (Controller of the Government), Cajero (Checker, Cashier), and the Gerente (Manager). Only the Cajero signature is present, appears to be E. S....(?)
The Note also has an ink stamp in the center of the reverse, with the letter A in the center, and the words, "Lobby Cafe No. 2" then other words that are not legible. The Lobby Cafe No. 2 was a cafe and night club in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.