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Established by decree on December 12, 1913, Governor Villa envisioned this bank as a support to land reform in Chihuahua. It would offer loans to farmers, ranchers, and small businessmen at reasonable rates of interest. In January 1914, Villa wrote to Carranza asking for $5,000,000 pesos to underwrite the establishment of the bank. There is no evidence that Carranza deigned to reply to Villa’s request. As the revolution continued, Villa put off the opening the bank. He had to accumulate the funds to underwrite it, and he wanted to delay land reform until the soldiers of the Division of the North could return to their homes and participate. The Banco del Estado de Chihuahua finally opened in mid-September 1915, but functioned only as a holding company for confiscated lands and assets of the aristocracy. The bank notes, prepared by the American Bank Note Company of New York, were never issued. The total value of the notes was probably 10,000,000 pesos. A small quantity “escaped” to circulation in 1915, being used by local militia leaders to pay their troops. All notes are dated 12.12.13.
DENOMINATIONS:
1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 pesos.
AVAILABILITY: The notes of this issue, up to 50 pesos, are generally available in CU condition. They are probably not “collectible” in conditions lower than VF, unless the note has a specific feature which the collector desires.
ATTRIBUTION: Attributing these notes is very straight-forward. There are no known varieties. All notes bear only the single printed signature at the center. Signatures to the l. or r. are not genuine, and destroy the value of the note to collectors. All notes are of Serie A - Front: Black on multi-colored underprint. Back: Orange w/ National Arms at center, denomination l. and r. |
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a. Proof. b. Specimen. |
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EL BANCO DEL ESTADO DE CHIHUAHUA |
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PS-131C 1 peso. Loggers at ctr. Not issued. Rare |
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PS-132 5 pesos. Miner with drill at center. Common |
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a. Issued note with one signature at front center. b. Uncut sheet of four notes. c. Proof. d. Specimen. |
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PS-133 10 pesos. Cowboy herding cattle at center. Common |
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a. Issued note with one signature at front center. b. Uncut sheet of four notes. c. Proof. d. Specimen. |
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a. Issued note with one signature at front center. b. Proof. c. Specimen. |
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PS-135 50 pesos. Steam passenger train by station at center. Scarce |
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a. Issued note with one signature at front center. b. Proof. c. Specimen. |
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PS-134 20 pesos. Harvesting scene at center. Common |
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a. Issued note with one signature at front center. b. Proof. c. Specimen. |
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PS-136 100 pesos. Agriculture, Juno, and Industry at center. Very Scarce |
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PS-137 500 pesos. Two seated women representing “Work” and “Knowledge” with young boys at center. Rare |
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a. Issued note with one signature at front center. b. Proof. c. Specimen. |
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This modern fantasy note appears at auction frequently enough to generate questions from new collectors. A pathetic example of the counterfeiter’s art, it is so poorly executed that it is impossible to attribute its production to any competent bank note printer. Note that the serial numbers and signature blocks appear both front and back, with a bogus signature added at the right. The large number 1000 at the center left and right are grossly misaligned. The reproduction of the front of the genuine 10 pesos note is extremely “muddy”. No one should be fooled by this modern travesty. |
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BOGUS 1000 pesos. Cowboy herding cattle at center, both front and back. MODERN FANTASY! |
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Image courtesy of Mr. Elmer Powell. |