1914 Banco Oriental de México 5 Pesos – Puebla Issue

Pick S185a | American Bank Note Company | Fine–Very Fine

The Banco Oriental de México 5 Pesos of 1914 is a remarkable survivor from one of the most dramatic periods in Mexican history. Issued in Puebla on February 10, 1914, this note circulated during the height of the Mexican Revolution, when regional banks played a vital role in maintaining commerce amid political and economic upheaval.

Printed by the prestigious American Bank Note Company of New York, the note showcases the exceptional engraving quality that made ABNCo banknotes some of the most beautiful and technically sophisticated currency issues of the early 20th century. The obverse prominently features General Ignacio Zaragoza, the celebrated Mexican military hero whose victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, became one of Mexico's most enduring national symbols. Opposite his portrait is an elegant engraved view of the Cathedral of Puebla, one of the country's most iconic colonial landmarks.

The reverse displays the ornate seal of the State of Puebla surrounded by intricate red guilloche work, a classic anti-counterfeiting design element characteristic of American Bank Note Company productions.

This example remains attractive despite circulation, exhibiting the honest wear expected of a note that passed through commerce more than a century ago. Moderate handling, scattered soiling, and evidence of circulation place the note in the Fine to Very Fine (F-VF) range. The serial numbers remain bold, the central design retains strong detail, and the note presents well for its grade.

Provincial Mexican banknotes have become increasingly sought after as collectors recognize their historical importance and comparatively low survival rates. Notes from Banco Oriental de México are especially desirable due to their connection to Puebla, their beautiful ABNCo engraving, and their role in the final years of Mexico's private banking era before sweeping monetary reforms transformed the nation's currency system.

Whether added to a collection of Mexican Revolutionary currency, Latin American banknotes, or classic engraved paper money, this 1914 Banco Oriental de México 5 Pesos represents an outstanding combination of history, artistry, and collectibility.

Technical Details

• Country: Mexico

• Bank: Banco Oriental de México

• Denomination: 5 Pesos

• Date: February 10, 1914

• City: Puebla

• Catalog Number: Pick S185a

• Printer: American Bank Note Company, New York

• Serial Number: 688650

• Portrait: General Ignacio Zaragoza

• Vignette: Puebla Cathedral

• Condition: Fine–Very Fine (F-VF)

• Issue Type: Private Provincial Bank Note

• Historical Period: Mexican Revolution Era (1910–1920)

A highly collectible Revolutionary-era Mexican banknote featuring one of Mexico's greatest national heroes and the masterful engraving work of the American Bank Note Company.