Mexico – State of Chihuahua 1915 5 Pesos "Dos Caritas" (Serie H / Enero 1915, Control FAI-N / 5-10-15 Date stamp)

• Issuing Authority: State of Chihuahua (El Estado de Chihuahua) under General Francisco "Pancho" Villa

• Denomination: 5 Pesos (Cinco Pesos)

• Plate Decree & Series Date:

  • Military Decree: 10 de Febrero de 1914

  • Series Issue Date: SERIE H / ENERO 1915 (Marked on either side of the center medallion text)

• Catalog Reference: Pick # S537b (1915 dated plate variety)

• Serial Number: № 3435639 (Printed in red typography at lower left and lower right)

• Face Portraits:

  • Left: Abraham González (Governor of Chihuahua and Pancho Villa's mentor)

  • Right: Francisco I. Madero (President of Mexico, martyred 1913)

• Reverse Vignette: The Chihuahua State Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) printed in rose-carmine / terracotta.

• Reverse Markings & Triple Overprints:

  • Black scalloped circular seal: Tesorería General del Estado - Chihuahua (Right flank)

  • Black series control overprint: FAI-N (Left flank)

  • Black issuance date stamp: 5-10-15 (May 10, 1915) stamped horizontally across the bottom courtyard edge

  • Period ink endorsement: Manuscript rubric/signature initials ("R.J.") below the Treasury seal

Technical & Visual Assessment

• Technical Grade: Very Good to Fine (VG 10 – F 12)

• Preservation Highlights:

  • Margins & Edges: Rough, heavily circulated perimeters. Noticeable margin fraying, edge nibbles, and micro-tears along the upper and left border margins (e.g., chipped upper-left and lower-left corners).

  • Folds & Handling: Heavy circulation with multiple deep vertical and horizontal folds, along with handling softening throughout the fibrous paper body.

  • Surface Condition: Prominent handling grime, thumb soiling, and natural age-toning across both faces.

  • Stamping Clarity: Exceptional verification marks. Despite the heavy wear on the paper, the full triad of re-validation strikes remains dark, bold, and fully readable: the Chihuahua Treasury seal, the FAI-N control code, and the 5-10-15 wartime emission stamp.