MXN – Mexican Peso
Monetary System
1823: 1 Mexican peso (MXP) = 100 centavos
01.01.1993: 1 Mexican nuevo peso (MXN) = 100 centavos
01.01.1996: 1 Mexican peso (MXN) = 100 centavos
2021 Commemorative Issues
This 20-peso note commemorates the bicentennial of Mexico’s independence from Spain. The front depicts a fragment of the artwork titled “Solemne y pacifica entrada del Ejercito de las Tres Garantias a la Ciudad de Mexico el dia 27 de September del memorable afio de 1821” (Solemn and peaceful entrance of the Army of the Three Guarantees to Mexico City on September 27th of the memorable year 1821), by an anonymous painter and which is part of the collection of the National Museum of History, Chapultepec Castle, located in Mexico City.
Description: 20.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 120 x 65 mm
Red. Front (vertical): Spanish text; denomination in gold-to-green SPARK; main patio of Antiguo Colegio de San Red, green, and black. Front: Spanish text; bank monogram; flags flanking archway with crowd, from anonymous painting, Solemny Pacifica entrada del gercito de las Tres Garantias a la Ciudad de Mexico el dia 27 de sepfiembre del memorable ano de 1821. Back (vertical): Spanish text; mangrove ecosystem with chocolate heron flying above Mexican crocodile in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, in the state of Quintana Roo. Unknown security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: Banco de Mexico. 120 x 65. Polymer.
2017 – 2021 Issues
The 500-peso note is the first denomination in a new family of banknotes with improved security features and designs representing Mexico’s historical and natural heritage. The 20-peso note will be replaced by a coin, and the bank is adding a 2,000-peso note. The backs depict elements of fauna and flora identified with each of Mexico’s ecosystems, including rivers and lakes, temperate forests, dry forests, thickets and deserts, coasts, seas and islands, and rainforests, through recognized sites in the World Heritage list of the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).
Description: 50.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 125 x 65 mm
Red. Front (vertical): Spanish text; denomination in gold-to-green SPARK; main patio of Antiguo Colegio de San IPurple. Front (vertical): Spanish text; denomination in gold-to-green SPARK; city of Tenochtitlan, from Diego Rivera’s mural, -La Gran Tenochtitlan:” eagle perched on a cactus with ‘Ad tlachinolli” in its beak, from fragment of monolith known as “Teocalli de la Guerra Sagrada” (pyramid surmounted by the temple of the sacred war). Back (vertical): Spanish text; ecosystem of rivers and lakes; Mexican salamander (ajolote); corn field within the landscape of Xochimilco, Mexico City. Simulated security thread with printed 50 PESOS. Watermark: None. Printer: (Banco de Mexico). 125 x 65 mm. Polymer (Guardian).
Description: 100.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 132 x 65 mm
Red. Front (vertical): Spanish text; denomination in gold-to-green SPARK; main patio of Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, Mexico City; Juana de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana (Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz). Back (vertical): Spanish text; temperate forest ecosystem of pine, oak, and oyamel trees in Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Michoacán de Ocampo. Simulated security thread with printed 100 PESOS and butterflies. Watermark: None. Printer: BANCO DE MEXICO. 132 x 65 mm. Polymer (Guardian).
This note represents Colonial Mexico.
Description: 200.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 139 x 65 mm
Green. Front: Spanish text; bank monogram; Miguel Hidalgo and José María Morelos. Back: Spanish text; ecosystem of bushes and deserts in Biosphere Reservation of El Pinacate and the Gran Desierto de Altar. Unknown security thread and solid security thread with demetalized 200. Watermark: Bell and electrotype 200. Printer: Banco de México. 139 x 65 mm. Paper (Endurance).
Description: 500.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 146 x 65 mm
Blue. Front: Spanish text; bank monogram; entry of Benito Juárez into Mexico City, from Alberto Beltrán’s engraving; Benito Pablo Juárez García; denomination in blue-to-green SPARK Live. Back: Spanish text; gray whales in ecosystem of coasts, seas, and islands in the Biosphere Reserve of El Vizcaíno, in Baja California Sur. Green windowed Motion Rapid security thread with demetalized 500 and solid security thread with demetalized 500. Watermark: Benito Juárez and electrotype 500. Printer: Banco de México. 146 x 65 mm. Paper (Endurance).
Description: 1,000.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 146 x 65 mm
Gray. Front: Spanish text; bank monogram; railroad steam engine; Carmen Serdán, Hermila Galindo, and President Francisco I. Madero; denomination in purple SPARK Live. Back: Spanish text; rainforest ecosystem with jaguar prowling among ceiba and zapote trees; Ancient Mayan City of Calakmul, Campeche. Purple windowed Motion Rapid security thread with demetalized 1000 and solid security thread with demetalized 1000. Watermark: Francisco I. Madero and electrotype 1000. Printer: Banco de México. 153 x 75 mm. Paper.
This note represents Revolutionary Mexico.
2019 Commemorative Issues
Description: 200.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 139 x 65 mm
These notes commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Banco de Mexico’s autonomy granted by article 28 of the Constitution of 1 April 1994, with 25 ANIVERSARIO DE LA AUTONOMIA 1994-2019 printed below the bank’s name at upper left front.
Green. Front: Spanish text; bank monogram; Miguel Hidalgo and José María Morelos. Back: Spanish text; ecosystem of bushes and deserts in Biosphere Reservation of El Pinacate and the Gran Desierto de Altar. Unknown security thread and solid security thread with demetalized 200. Watermark: Bell and electrotype 200. Printer: Banco de México. 139 x 65 mm. Paper (Endurance).
2012 – 2017 Issues
In June 2010, the Banco de México detected the first professional quality counterfeits of the 50-peso polymer note (B705). To combat the fakes, this denomination was redesigned with increased security, including a SPARK feature and Eclipse image (first implementation in the world of multilevel diffractive optical elements to create an asymmetrical image).
Description: 50.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 127 x 66 mm
Magenta. Front: Spanish text; stylized butterfly in SPARK; crossed cannons, bow and arrow; José María Morelos. Back: Spanish text; bank seal; Mechuaca glyph; 18th century aqueduct in Morelia, Michoacan; monarch butterflies. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: BANCO DE MEXICO. 127 x 66 mm. Polymer (Guardian).
2017 Commemorative Issues
This 100-peso note commemorates the 100th anniversary of the enactment of the Mexican Constitution. Total printing of this note was 50,000,000 (10,000,000 of each of five signature varieties). Each of the five serial number prefixes has a different signature for Junta de Gobierno.
Description: 100.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 134 x 66 mm
Red and yellow. Front: Spanish text; open book in green-to-gold OVI; 37th president, Venustiano Carranza, and chairman of Congress, Luis Manuel Rojas, sworn in before the Constituent Assembly after amending the Constitution. Back: Spanish text; congressmen swearing to observe and enforce the Mexican Constitution; bank seal. Green-to-gold RollingStar Cube windowed security thread. Watermark: Eagle on cactus and electrotype 100. Printer: BANCO DE MÉXICO. 134 x 66 mm. Paper.
2004 – 2017 Issues
Following the successful introduction of the polymer 20-peso note in 2001, the 50-peso denomination also switched to polymer for increased longevity in 2006. The bank considers these Series F notes, but this internal designation is unrelated to the series letters which appear on the notes themselves.
Prior to mid-2016, all notes bear the city of issue name as MÉXICO D.F. (Distrito Federal); thereafter, it appears as CIUDAD DE MÉXICO.
Description: 20.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 120 x 66mm
Blue, red, and green. Front: Spanish text; stylized bird in flight; balance scales and open book; 26th president, Benito Pablo Juárez García; map of Mexico as registration device. Back: Spanish text; map of Mexico; bank seal; jewelry; Zapotec ruins at Monte Albán, Oaxaca; mask of Lightening God, Cocijo. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: BANCO DE MÉXICO. 120 x 66 mm. Polymer (Guardian).
Description: 50.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 127 x 66 mm
Magenta. Front: Spanish text; stylized butterfly; crossed cannons, bow and arrow; José María Morelos; map of Mexico as registration device. Back: Spanish text; map of Mexico; bank seal; Mechuaca glyph; 18th century aqueduct in Morelia, Michoacan; monarch butterflies. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: BANCO DE MÉXICO. 127 x 66 mm. Polymer (Guardian).
Description: 100.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 134 x 66 mm
Red and yellow. Front: Spanish text; ear of corn in OVI; poem about zentzontle, a bird represented by jade, flower, and two seated men; warrior poet, Nezahualcóyotl; map of Mexico as registration device. Back: Spanish text; map of Mexico; bank seal; temple, central square, and aqueduct of México-Tenochtitlán; cricket. Windowed Motion security thread and solid security thread. Watermark: Nezahualcóyotl and electrotype 100. Printer: BANCO DE MÉXICO. 134 x 66 mm. Paper.
Description: 200.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 141 x 66 mm
Green. Front: Spanish text; open book and quill in OVI; inkwell, quills, library window, and open book; writer, Juana de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana (Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz); map of Mexico as registration device. Back: Spanish text; map of Mexico; bank seal; Hacienda de Panoayan; baptismal font of the church of San Vicente Ferrer in Chimalhuacán; Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhautl volcanoes. Windowed Motion security thread and solid security thread. Watermark: Juana de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana and electrotype 200. Printer: BANCO DE MÉXICO. 141 x 66 mm. Paper.
Description: 500.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 148 x 66 mm
Brown. Front: Spanish text; calla lily in violet-to-green OVI; Diego Rivera’s mural Desnudo con Alcatraces (Nude with Calla Lilies), three brushes, and painter’s palette; muralist, Diego Rivera; map of Mexico as registration device. Back: Spanish text; map of Mexico; bank seal; artist, Frida Kahlo; Frida Kahlo’s painting El Abrazo de Amor del Universo, La Tierra, (México), Yo, Diego and Señor Xolotl (The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth, Mexico, I, Diego and Mister Xolotl); hummingbird. Windowed Motion security thread and solid security thread. Watermark: Diego Rivera and electrotype 500. Printer: BANCO DE MÉXICO. 148 x 66 mm. Paper.
2007 – 2008 Commemorative Issues
On 23 September 2009, Banco de México introduced two new commemorative banknotes: a paper one to celebrate the bicentennial of independence, and a polymer one to celebrate the centennial of the Mexican Revolution. Each was limited to 50 million pieces and these notes did not replace the currently circulating notes of the same denominations. There are five different signature combinations for each denomination.
Description: 100.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 134 x 66 mm
The 100-peso commemorative with Series A/A – A/E has an error in the microprinted text. On the front, the text appears correctly as “SUFRAGIO EFECTIVO Y NO REELECCION.” However, on the back the second word is misspelled as “ELECTIVO.” A corrected note was expected in 2010, although the error notes remained in circulation.
Yellow, brown, red, and orange. Front: Spanish text; ear of corn; camp follower (Adelita); locomotive that carried revolutionary troops in 1910; corn field; map of Mexico as registration device. Back: Spanish text; map of Mexico; corn field; soldiers in David Alfaro Siqueiros’ mural “Del Porfirismo a la Revolución;” bank seal; ear of corn. Watermark: Adelita. Printer: BANCO DE MÉXICO. 134 x 66 mm. Polymer.
Description: 200.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 66 x 141 mm
Green and pink. Front (vertical): Spanish text; map of Mexico as registration device; church bell in OVI; Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla with a banner, from Jesus Enrique Emilio de la Helguera Evans’ painting “Don Miguel Hidalgo.” Back (vertical): Spanish text; stylized bright red cap (symbol of freedom); Angel of Independence, on Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City; map of Mexico; bank seal. Windowed Motion security thread with printed 200 and demetalized bell. Watermark: Angel of Independence with electrotype 200. Printer: BANCO DE MÉXICO. 141 x 66 mm. Paper
Outmoded Notes
2004 – 2017 Issues
Description: 1,000.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 155 x 66 mm
Rose and violet. Front: Spanish text; three towers of the church of Dolores Hidalgo; church and bell; Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla; map of Mexico as registration device. Back: Spanish text; map of Mexico; bank seal; frog; University of Guanajuato buildings. Windowed Motion security thread and solid security thread. Watermark: Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and electrotype 1000. Printer: BANCO DE MÉXICO. 155 x 66 mm. Paper.
1994 – 1999 Issues
On 1 January 1996, the modifier nuevo was dropped from the name of the currency, but the ISO 4217 code remained unchanged as MXN. These notes are like the preceding issues, but without the word nuevos in the currency name, the bank title has changed from El Banco de México to Banco de México, and the clause pagará a la vista al portador (payable to bearer on sight) has been removed. The bank considers these Series D notes, but this internal designation is unrelated to the series letters which appear on the notes themselves.
Description: 500.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 155 x 65 mm
Reddish-brown and purple. Front: Spanish text; denomination as registration device; soldiers and horses in battle of Puebla; General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín wearing uniform. Back: Spanish text; potted flowers; Cathedral of Puebla; bank seal; street light; bank guilloche. Solid security thread with demetalized QUINIENTOS and solid security thread. Watermark: Electrotype BDM and Ignacio Zaragoza. Printer: BANCO DE MEXICO. 155 x 65 mm. Paper.
2000 Commemorative Issues
These notes commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Banco de Mexico, with 75 ANIVERSARIO 1925 – 2000 printed below the bank’s name at upper left front.
Description: 500.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 155 x 65 mm
Reddish-brown and purple. Front: Spanish text; denomination as registration device; soldiers and horses in battle of Puebla; General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín wearing uniform. Back: Spanish text; potted flowers; Cathedral of Puebla; bank seal; street light; bank guilloche. Solid security thread with demetalized QUINIENTOS and solid security thread. Watermark: Electrotype BDM and Ignacio Zaragoza. Printer: BANCO DE MEXICO. 155 x 65 mm. Paper.
2000 – 2009 Issues
The 20-peso note was switched to polymer substrate for increased durability. The other denominations have an iridescent stripe at left center front, and on the 100-peso note and larger, the denomination at upper right front is in OVI.
Uncut sheets of the 20-peso note are arranged 6 x 10 and each vertical row is a different series (the first column at left is Series A, the second column is Series B, and so on). Also, there are five signature combinations in each series, and they are arranged top to bottom as 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 (so you have 30 different combinations of series and signatures on each sheet). In 2003, this system was abandoned. Since then, each series has only one signature combination.
Description: 500.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 155 x 65 mm
Reddish-brown and purple. Front: Spanish text; denomination as registration device; soldiers and horses in battle of Puebla; General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín wearing uniform; denomination in magenta-to-green OVI. Back: Spanish text; potted flowers; Cathedral of Puebla; bank seal; street light; bank guilloche. Solid security thread with demetalized QUINIENTOS and solid security thread. Watermark: Electrotype BDM and Ignacio Zaragoza. Printer: BANCO DE MEXICO. 155 x 65 mm. Paper. Like subsequent issues, but Series to left of denomination at upper right front.
Description: 500.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 155 x 65 mm
Reddish-brown and purple. Front: Spanish text; denomination as registration device; soldiers and horses in battle of Puebla; General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín wearing uniform; denomination in magenta-to-green OVI. Back: Spanish text; potted flowers; Cathedral of Puebla; bank seal; street light; bank guilloche. Solid security thread with demetalized QUINIENTOS and solid security thread. Watermark: Electrotype BDM and Ignacio Zaragoza. Printer: BANCO DE MEXICO. 155 x 65 mm. Paper. Like preceding issues, but horizontal lines to left of denomination at upper right front.
Description: 1,000.00 MXN – Mexican Peso Size: 155 x 65 mm
Purple, brown, blue, green, and red. Front: Spanish text; denomination as registration device; Dolores bell at Palacio Nacional (National Palace); Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla; denomination in OVI. Back: Spanish text; fountain; building at University of Guanajuato; bank seal; bank guilloche. Solid security thread with demetalized MIL and solid security thread. Watermark: Ignacio Zaragoza. Printer: BANCO DE MEXICO. 155 x 65 mm. Paper.
Bank of Mexico
Banco de México
Article 28 of the constitution of 1917 authorized a single bank of issue to be controlled by the federal government. However, congress didn’t pass legislation establishing the bank until 25 August 1925. On 1 September 1925, the Banco de México (Spanish: Bank of Mexico, BDM) began operations and has been the exclusive issuer of banknotes in Mexico to present day. For more information, visit www.banxico.org.mx.
From 1925 to 1968, all Mexican banknotes were printed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC) of New York. ABNC continued printing for Mexico until 1978, even after the Banco de México opened its own printing facility (Fábrica de Billetes) in 1969 and began domestic production.
Notes of the Banco de México bear signatures of several officials in a bewildering array of combinations. The CAJERO(Cashier) signature is the same for any given date, and is paired with signatures of other officials for a given number of notes (this number varies depending on the series and denominations), then rotating in prelatory order.
