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Denominations
Security features
Exchangeable banknotes
Mexican monetary law prohibits the imitation and total or partial reproduction of metallic coins and of banknotes, domestic and foreign, except in cases in which the Ministry of Finance has expressly authorized it.
Twenty pesos
On August 20, 2007, the new polymer-based 20-peso banknote went into circulation. These notes correspond to Type F and are the ones currently manufactured in this denomination.
| Design features |
| Type |
Size |
Front |
Back |
| F |
120 x 66 mm. |
The key motif is the image of Don Benito Juárez García (1806 – 1872), who became president of Mexico in 1858 and issued the reform laws with the support of the radical liberals the following year. Because of his defense of human freedoms, which served as an example to other Latin American countries, he was proclaimed “Benemérito de las Américas.” In a famous speech, he said: “The people and the government should respect the rights of all. Among individuals, as among nations, respect for others' rights is peace.”
The image of Don Benito Juárez is accompanied by a drawing composed of:
• A balancing scale in the foreground, which symbolizes equilibrium and justice, and
• book, which represents the reform laws enacted in 1859.
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The key visual element is a panoramic view of the archeological zone of Monte Albán (built by the Zapotec culture), located in the state of Oaxaca and declared by UNESCO as part of the cultural patrimony of humanity. To the left of this scene is a detail from an earring found in tomb number 7 of the archeological site, and to the lower right is a fragment of a large mask of the God of Rain and Thunder (Cocijo, the main Zopotec god). |
There are other types of banknotes which, although they are no longer manufactured and are increasingly difficult to find, maintain their purchasing power; that is, they are still worth the denomination indicated on the note. These notes are Types B, C, D and D1.
Type B banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, but with features similar to those of the notes representing the monetary unit that was legal tender until December 31, 1992. The difference between the two is that Type B notes use the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Type C banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, but with features different from those of the Type B note. However, they maintain the use of the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Type D banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, with features similar to those of the Type C note, but omitting the adjective "new" before the word “pesos”.
These notes are in the process of being withdrawn from circulation. They should be exchanged at an exchange center in order to prevent their persistent circulation.
Type D1 banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, with features similar to those of the Type D note, but were the first Mexican polymer banknotes.
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| Tipo D1 |
Type D1 banknotes are still legal tender for commercial transactions, and as they deteriorate, they will be withdrawn from circulation.
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Fifty pesos
On November 21, 2006, the 50-peso banknote printed on polymer went into circulation. These banknotes are Type F and are those currently manufactured in this denomination.
| Design features |
| Type |
Size |
Front |
Back |
| F |
127 x 66 mm. |
The key motif is the image of José María Morelos y Pavón, who in 1810 joined Miguel Hidalgo's independence movement and in 1813 convened and installed the Chilpancingo Congress. Before this assembly the “Sentiments of the Nation” were presented, a document in which Morelos set aside his authority and declared himself “servant of the nation.” In addition, the document established, among other propositions, independence, a republican regime, the prohibition of slavery, and equality for all citizens. In 1814, the Congress finished its work and promulgated the Constitution of Apatzingán, Mexico 's first constitution.
The image of Morelos is accompanied by an illustration comprised of two cannons one on top of the other, the standard used by Morelos's forces, as well as a bow and arrow with the word “SUD.”
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The key visual feature is the aqueduct of the city of Morelia, Michoacán, constructed by Bishop Manuel Escalante Columbres in the eighteenth century—a construction which has become an icon of the city. Three monarch butterflies appear in front of it. To the left side of the aqueduct is a representation of the pre-Hispanic symbol of the state of Michoacán ( Mechuaca, which means “those of the land of fish,” taken from the codex telleriano remensis ).
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There are other types of banknotes which, although they are no longer manufactured and are increasingly difficult to find, maintain their purchasing power; that is, they are still worth the denomination indicated on the note. These notes are Types B, C, D and D1.
Type B banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, but with features similar to those of the notes representing the monetary unit that was legal tender until December 31, 1992. The difference between the two is that the Type B notes use the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Type C banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, but with features different from those of the Type B note. However, they maintain the use of the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Type D banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, with features similar to those of the Type C note, but omitting the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Type D1 banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, with features similar to Type D banknotes but with an additional security feature: the iridescent band.
These notes are in the process of being withdrawn from circulation and should be exchanged at an exchange center in order to prevent their persistent circulation.
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Type B |
Type C |
Type D |
Type D1 |
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One-hundred pesos
Starting December 19, 2005, the new 100-peso banknote went into circulation, with features similar to those of the banknotes already in circulation, but with a mark perceptible to touch, which allows blind people to identify it. These banknotes are Type D1 and are the ones currently manufactured in this denomination.
The banknotes that went into circulation on October 15, 2001 with new safety features but without the watermark for the blind will continue to be legal tender for commercial transactions.
| Design features |
| Type |
Size |
Front |
Back |
| D1 |
155 x 66 mm. |
The predominant colors are red, cherry red, ocher and yellow. Highlighted is an idealized representation of the poet and king of Texcoco, Nezahualcóyotl; this key motif is complemented with a drawing of the tlatoani identified as Nezahualcóyotl through the ornamental hieroglyph that signifies his name.
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To the right is the god of florid song, Xochipilli; to the left of this sculpture is a representation of that of Xihuacóatl, the fire serpent that is found in the southern end of the Great Temple of Tenayuca, in México State; the background is covered with a silhouette of a ball game, the “rod of the word,” and a representation of the aqueduct completed by Nezahualcóyotl.
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There are other types of banknotes which, although they are no longer manufactured and are increasingly difficult to find, maintain their purchasing power; that is, they are still worth the denomination indicated on the note. These notes are Types B, C and D.
Type B banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, but with features similar to those of the notes representing the monetary unit that was legal tender until December 31, 1992. The difference between the two is that the Type B notes use the adjective “new” before the word “pesos.” These notes are in the process of being withdrawn from circulation and should be exchanged at an exchange center in order to prevent their persistent circulation.
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| Type B |
Type C banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, but with features different from those of Type B notes. However, they maintain the use of the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Type D banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, with features similar to those of Type C notes, but omitting the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Types C and D banknotes are still legal tender for commercial transactions, and as they deteriorate, they will be withdrawn from circulation.
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Two-hundred pesos
On September 8, 2008, the 200-peso banknote went into circulation. These notes correspond to Type F and are those currently manufactured in this denomination.
| Design features |
| Type |
Size |
Front |
Back |
| F |
141 x 66 mm. |
The key motif is a portrait of writer Juana de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana, better known as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651-1695). Complementing the image are drawings of books, an inkwell, two pens, and a library window where Sor Juana worked. The composition alludes to her writing tools in the cloister where she spent a large part of her life.
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A key element is a view of the Hacienda de Panoayan, where Sor Juana Inés lived, together with an embossing of the baptismal font of the church of San Vicente Ferrer in Chimalhuacán, Estado de México. In the background there is a view of the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhautl.
The predominant color on the banknote is green.
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There are other types of banknotes which, although they are no longer manufactured and are increasingly difficult to find, maintain their purchasing power; that is, they are still worth the denomination indicated on the note. These notes are Types C, D and D1.
Type C banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, but with features different from those of the Type B note. However, they maintain the use of the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Type D banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, with features similar to those of the Type C note, but omitting the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
The Type D1 banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, with features similar to those of the Type D note but with additional security features: an iridescent band and a numeral with color-changing ink. This note type also has a mark perceptible to touch, which allows the blind to identify it.
Types C, D and D1 banknotes are still legal tender for commercial transactions, and as they deteriorate, they will be withdrawn from circulation.
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Five-hundred pesos
Starting December 19, 2005, the new 500-peso banknote went into circulation, with features similar to those of the banknotes already in circulation, but with a mark perceptible to touch, which allows blind people to identify it. These banknotes are Type D1 and are the ones currently manufactured in this denomination.
The banknotes that went into circulation on October 15, 2001 with new safety features but without the watermark for the blind will continue to be legal tender for commercial transactions.
| Design features |
| Type |
Size |
Front |
Back |
| D1 |
155 x 66 mm. |
The front is dedicated to General Ignacio Zaragoza, who as commander of the Eastern Army confronted the French. The portrait of the hero of May 5 appears to the right, and to its left there is a drawing of the painting known as “Intense Fighting in the Hills of Loreto and Guadalupe” done by painter José Cusachs. The predominant colors are burnt coffee, blue, reds and yellows.
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The back side presents a view of the bells and domes of the Puebla cathedral and shows decorative features from the region—among the most notable, one of the famous angels of the balustrade of the cathedral, from which the old name of the city is taken, Puebla de los Angeles. The color tonality of the banknote is dark coffee, blue and shades of orange.
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There are other types of banknotes which, although they are no longer manufactured and are increasingly difficult to find, maintain their purchasing power; that is, they are still worth the denomination indicated on the note. These notes are Types C and D.
Type C banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, but with features different from those of Type B notes. However, they maintain the use of the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Type D banknotes represent the monetary unit that is currently legal tender, with features similar to those of Type C notes, but omitting the adjective “new” before the word “pesos”.
Types C and D banknotes are still legal tender for commercial transactions, and as they deteriorate, they will be withdrawn from circulation.
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One-thousand pesos
On April 7, 2008, the 1000-peso banknote went into circulation. These notes correspond to Type F and are those currently manufactured in this denomination.
| Design features |
| Type |
Size |
Front |
Back |
| F |
155 x 66 mm. |
The key motif is the image of the first and main head of Mexico 's independence movement, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. His image is accompanied by a drawing composed of the Dolores church bell and two towers from the same church. The illustration refers to the cry of Dolores, when Miguel Hidalgo rang the bell to call the people to start the independence movement.
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.
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A key visual element is a scenic view of the University of Guanajuato, together with the university's interior window and a relief drawing of one of its doors, as well as a frog that refers to Guanajuato, and a representation of the city's architecture.
The banknote's main colors are rose and violet.
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Type D1 banknotes are still legal tender for commercial transactions, and as they deteriorate, they will be withdrawn from circulation.
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| Type D1 |
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