Mexican Revolution, Three Banknote Collection

This collection includes three banknotes from the Mexican Revolution, a complex civil war and social movement to overthrow dictator Porfirio Díaz, redistribute land, and reform Mexico’s political and economic systems, driven by demands for democracy, workers’ rights, and an end to elite control.

From approximately 1910 to 1920, Mexico was embroiled in revolution. The country had been fermenting in discontent for decades, with much of the populace hoping for land and water reform as well as clearer, cleaner elections, but instead found themselves stuck under dictator Porfirio Diaz. It took a national outcry over a rigged election and the outbreak of not one but two separate revolts to oust him from power. Unfortunately, the revolution was only beginning.

Diaz's successors were also unable to deliver what the people demanded. Several were assassinated, often by their own successors. Meanwhile, violence ran rampant and Mexico City itself faced starvation. Folk heroes such as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata were carving Mexico into smaller and smaller pieces behind the federal government's back, in the name of land and water rights.

Understandably, the currency of Mexico suffered during this time. The national government, regional governments, and even some local governments and corporations all issued currency to try and fill the everyday need for cash that even revolution could not shake. This set contains just a small example of all the banknotes issued in Mexico throughout this time.

The notes included are:

• Estado Libre y Soberano de Mexico (Free and Sovereign State of Mexico), 1 Peso, 1915
• La Tesoreria General del Estado de Oaxaca (The General Treasury of the State of Oaxaca), 1 Peso, 1915
• Compañía Minera "Las Dos Estrellas" (Mining Company "Las Dos Estrellas"), 1 Peso, 1915