Due to the intensive use made of banknotes and coins, they experience changes which eventually make them unsuitable for circulation. It is important to recognize the different types of alterations banknotes and coins undergo, as well as to determine in which cases they lose their value. Depending on their characteristics, they are classified as follows:
Banknotes suitable for circulation
These are banknotes with ideal characteristics for circulation; that is, they are complete, they have not been cut, scratched or torn and they do not have holes or extraneous marks. In addition, in the case of paper notes, they should not be very dirty, while in the case of polymer banknotes, they should not be “faded.”
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Banknotes not suitable for circulation
These are banknotes with some kind of damage. If they stay in circulation, they will continue undergoing damage until they become banknotes with no value, and thus it is important to exchange them for notes that are in good condition. This transaction can be made in any of the exchange centers that operate in different bank locations in the country, or in a bank of which you are a client. In this group are:
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Banknotes of no value
These banknotes are no longer valid. Thus, it is very important to recognize their characteristics in order not to accept them, and furthermore, to avoid forming part of the chain of people who try to get rid of them by reintroducing them into circulation. For any questions regarding the validity of banknotes, please contact Banco de México via any of the exchange centers located in different bank locations in the country or through a bank of which you are a client. In this group are:
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Coins of no value
These coins are no longer valid. Thus, it is very important to recognize their characteristics in order not to accept them, and furthermore, to avoid forming part of the chain of people who try to get rid of them by reintroducing them into circulation. For any doubts regarding the validity of coins, please contact Banco de México via any of the exchange centers located in different bank locations in the country, or through a bank of which you are a client. In this group are:
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Deteriorated banknotes
These are notes with small missing parts and/or with a high degree of damage and/or dirtiness (in the case of paper banknotes) or fading of ink (in the case of polymer banknotes), notes with a cut or scratch that has perhaps resulted in some portion of the note becoming detached and then reattached with transparent adhesive tape.
Deteriorated banknotes are also those that have marks different from those that define a banknote as a marked note, those that have missing parts, and those that have additions of any material -except from banknotes- to simulate the missing portions, provided that the total missing area or the additions is less or equal to 616 squared milimeters or 6.16 squared centimeters (approximately the surface of a current 10-peso coin).
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Fractions of banknotes of value
These are banknotes with a total missing area greater than 616 squared milimeters or 6.16 squared centimeters (approximately the surface of a current 10-peso coin), which meet the following rules:
FIRST. The fraction of banknote belongs to a note issued by Banco de México and do not contain insertions or fragments of any type. In case it does, the fraction is evaluated in one piece so that insertions and fragments must be ignored for the evaluation purpose.
In case the banknote is made of additions from the same banknote, only the greater portion will be evaluated. The other portions will be ignored.
In case the banknote is made of additions from different banknotes, it has no value as it is considered as an altered banknote.
SECOND. The fraction of banknote must meet at least one of the following conditions:
• It must have a complete folio number, printed on the left-hand side of the front of the banknote; and it must have intact half or more of the surface of the complete note issued by Banco de México.
• It must contain eighty percent or more of the surface of the complete note issued by Banco de México, regardless of where the remainder of the note is.
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Deformed banknotes
Banknotes that are printed on polymer and have become damaged after being exposed to sunlight, solvents or through any other process.
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Fractions of banknotes of no value
These are banknotes with a total missing area greater than 616 squared milimeters or 6.16 squared centimeters (approximately the surface of a current 10-peso coin), which do not meet the rules mentioned in the section: Fractions of banknotes of value.
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Banknotes with written marks
These notes have words, sentences, or drawings, made by hand or printed, or made by any other indelible means, with the purpose to divulge political, religious, or commercial messages for the public.
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Altered banknotes
These banknotes are comprised of fractions of two or more banknotes pieced together.
According to article 10 of Mexico's monetary law, perforated or cut up banknotes, those with marks or passwords, and those with tracings without a monetary purpose lack legal validity and shall not be accepted in public offices.
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Presumably counterfeit banknotes
These are documents or banknotes with images or other features used in Banco de México's banknotes, which could be misleading to the public because they look like legally issued banknotes.
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Grafted banknotes
These notes have additions that simulate the missing portions.
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Altered coins
This classification refers to perforated or trimmed coins, those with marks or passwords, and those with tracings with no monetary purpose. It also refers to those with a diminished metallic content due to filing, dissolution in acids or other processes.
According to article 10 of Mexico's monetary law, perforated or trimmed coins, those with marks or passwords, and those with tracings with no monetary purpose lack legal validity and shall not be accepted in public offices.
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Presumably counterfeit coins
These coins contain images or other features used on coins in circulation, and could be misleading to the public because they look like legally issued coins.
More information on presumably counterfeit coins
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