The banknote’s obverse is a representation of the beginning of Mexico’s War of Independence, with the image of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest who, on September 16, 1810, called upon the population through what is popularly known as “el grito de Dolores” (Cry of Dolores) and started the independence movement; and, the image of José María Morelos y Pavón, who assumed the leadership of the independent movement after the death of Hidalgo and is known as the “Siervo de la Nación” (Servant of the Nation). The images of Hidalgo and Morelos appear along with a vignette representing the “Campana de Dolores” (Bell of Dolores), which was used to call upon the population and start the independence movement in Dolores, Hidalgo.

To commemorate the anniversary of Banco de México's autonomy, in 2019 the legend "25 Aniversario de la Autonomía 1994-2019" (25th Anniversary of Central Bank Autonomy 1994-2019) was printed on the obverse, located below the text "Banco de México".

For the same reason, starting from May 20, 2024, and for a temporary period, the legend "30 Aniversario de la Autonomía 1994-2024" (30th Anniversary of Central Bank Autonomy 1994-2024) will be featured on the banknote.

The image of a royal eagle on this side of the banknote represents Mexico’s scrubland and desert ecosystem found at the Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve in Sonora, designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Site.