A previously unknown 5 peso specimen note, undated, other than a pre-printed 1987_ blank space on the note, and numbered A024003, with one printed signature, is shown in UNC condition with "manuscript" SPECIMEN in red ink on the face. The printer is DE LA RUE Y COMPANIA LONDRES. If this note had been printed and released it would have been the second in a series, after the only known first series note in existence that is dated November 15, 1867 and reflected in the Krause publication, "World Paper Money Specialized Issues" as numbers S281-S284, printer TDLR. It is the assumption of the writer that this series may have been created in specimen form for a Mexico series but released in Peru with the Mexico design, substituting Lima for Mexico, and issuing the note in Soles. The 5 Peso Mexico specimen is the only known note in existence.

A previously unknown 5 peso specimen note, undated, other than a pre-printed 1987_ blank space on the note, and

numbered A024003, with one printed signature, is shown in UNC condition with "manuscript" SPECIMEN in red ink on the face. The printer is DE LA RUE Y COMPANIA LONDRES. If this note had been printed and released it would have been the second in a series, after the only known first series note in existence that is dated November 15, 1867 and reflected in the Krause publication, "World Paper Money Specialized Issues" as numbers S281-S284, printer TDLR. It is the assumption of the writer that this series may have been created in specimen form for a Mexico series but released in Peru with the Mexico design, substituting Lima for Mexico, and issuing the note in Soles. The 5 Peso Mexico specimen is the only known note in existence.

Four additional unreported notes, 10,20,50 and 100 pesos, all issued notes with the Mexican Government tax stamp

overprint applied to the back, all punch CANCELLED in English and not in Spanish CANCELADO, from a framed set of front and backs, are described here and are represenative of the 4th series of notes from this bank. The printer for all four notes is Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Engravers, London. The 10 peso example, punched CANCELLED four times, has serial number 18167, serie F, dated September 1, 1887, and is in UNC condition with glue stains on the reverse top of the note. Previously the only known example was reported in THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEXICAN PAPER MONEY, 1981, with the date May 1, 1889, bearing a Guanajuato branch overprint.

The 20 peso example, punch CANCELLED six times, with serial number 10406, serie D, dated September 1, 1887, is in UNC condition. Previously only two known examples of the 20 peso denomination were known, both dated September 1, 1887, wtih one bearing no overprint and the other bearing a Puebla branch overprint, as reported in THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEXICAN PAPER MONEY, 1981.

The 50 peso example, punch CANCELLED six times, with serial number 02438, serie C, dated September 1, 1887, is unknown as an issued note and is in UNC condition. The issued note design differs from the face proof 50 Peso, BK-DF-17 or S228 (Krause Publication), reported in THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEXICAN PAPER MONEY, 1981, by replacing the young boy in a boat with a young boy holding an ore sample with mining implements at his feet at the lower right front of the note.

The 100 peso example, serial number 07921, serie B, is punch CANCELLED four times both horizontal and vertical, and dated September 1, 1887, and is unknown as an issued note. The issued note design is different from the face proof 100 peso BK-DF-18 or S229 (Krause publication), reported in THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEXICAN PAPER MONEY, 1981, by replacing the seated man with a young lady holding what appears to be graphes. The 100 peso note is in UNC condition with glue stains across the top of the note. In addition, the image of the issued and cencelled 100 peso note is the same as the face proof 100 peso note listed as BK-DF-14 or S226 (Krause publication), reported in THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEXICAN PAPER MONEY, 1981.

The London Bank of Mexico and South America was chartered on February 15, 1864, in Mexico City as the "London Bank of Mexico LTD". However, it changed its name in ten days to the former name. It operated with that name until July 1, 1889, when it became the Banco de Londres Y Mexico.

Elmer Powell
LANSA #1487
Dallas, Texas

7/24/2004