American Bank Note Company print runs
The American Bank Note Company produced its first notes for the Banco de Londres, México y Sud-América in Mexico in August 1866The order was made on 17 August 1866, a few months after it produced a similar series, with similar designs, for the bank's branch in Lima, Peru.
The $100, $500 and $1,000 notes in the first run used the same underprint and back plates made for the Banco de Londres México y Sud América in Peru.
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| August 1866 | $100 | 1,000 | A | 1 | 1000 |
| $500 | 500 | A | 1 | 500 | |
| $1,000 | 500 | A | 1 | 500 |
For an order of 18 June 1868 the ABNC added the text "en la Ciudad de México" to the $100, $500 and $1,000 notes. It also made $50 face and back plates, the $50 note again using the back plate for the Peruvian branch.
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| November 1868 | $50 | 991 | A | 1 | 991 |
| $100 | 972 | A | 1001 | 1972 | |
| $500 | 492 | A | 501 | 992 | |
| $1,000 |
491 | A | 501 | 991 |
On 5 November 1868 the bank also ordered $20 notes, which took longer to produce.
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| January 1869 | $20 | 10,303 | A | 1 | 10303 |
This modelCNBanxico #7222 is dated 8 February 1869. It claims to be from the American Bank Note Company (Compañía de Billetes de Banco New-York) though that company actually used the imprint 'Compañía de Billetes de Banco Nueva-York' or 'American Bank Note Co. New York' on the notes that it had produced in 1866.
So, unless this is a complete fantasy, the most plausible explanation is that this was either a simple mock up prepared by the bank to suggest the layout of a new issue (but why not just use one of the existing notes?) or a interim measure to cover a temporary shortage of notes. The ABNC did produce a additional run of $50 notes in February 1869.
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| February 1869 | $50 | 986 | A | 992 | 1977 |
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| May 1870 | $100 | 3,341 | A | 1973 | 5313 |
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| June 1870 | $50 | 3,212 | A | 1978 | 5189 |
On 29 January 1874 the bank made another order, and the ABNC made new back plates for the $20 and $50 notes.
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| January 1874 | $20 | 5.000 | A | 10304 | 15303 |
| $50 | 3,000 | A | 5190 | 8189 | |
| $100 | 2000 | A | 5314 | 7313 | |
| $500 | 500 | A | 993 | 1492 |
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| October 1874 | $20 | 4,697 | A | 15304 | 20000 |
| $50 | 2,811 | A | 8190 | 11000 | |
| $100 | 3,687 | A | 7314 | 11000 |
On 31 December 1874 Thomas Horncastle (Tomás Horncastel) wrote to the Ministerio de Hacienda to explain that the bank was unable to comply with a condition of the law of 1 December 1874. As some notes had been counterfeited it had been necessary to print a new issue to replace the notes in circulation. These were printed in the United States, from where they were sent to London to be signed and stamped before being sent on to Mexico. The ministry agreed to an extension to the end of June 1875, by which time all the notes currently in circulation should be withdrawn and replacedEl Foro, 3 January 1875. On 2 June 1875 the Ministerio de Hacienda extended the period for holders to exchange their old notes for the new issue (with revenue stamps) to 31 December.
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| April 1875 | $20 | 5,000 | A | 20000 | 25000 |
| $50 | 2,000 | A | 11000 | 13000 | |
| $100 | 2.000 | A | 11000 | 13000 | |
| $500 | 407 | A | 1493 | 1899 | |
| $1,000 | 408 | A | 992 | 1399 |
For 1879 the engraved signature of William A. Jones as Director was added to the $20 and $50 notes and of Fred Harrison to the $100 and of I. de Mancha to te $500.
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| June 1879 | $20 | 10,000 | B | 1 | 10000 |
| $50 | 5,000 | A | 13000 | 18000 | |
| $100 | 3,000 | A | 13000 | 16000 | |
| $500 | 801 | A | 1900 | 2700 |
For 1881 the signature on the $100 notes was altered to I. de Mancha.
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| October 1881 | $20 | 10,000 | Bb | 10001 | 20000 |
| $50 | 4,000 | Aa | 18000 | 22000 | |
| $100 | 2,000 | Aa | 16000 | 18000 |
In 1883 the ABNC produced $2 notes printed from altered plates for the Peruvian 2 soles note of this bankThe ABNC records that the face plate was made on order 17 April 1866 for the Lima branch and altered on order 11 July 1883 for the Mexico City branch: back plate made on order 21 August 1883 (ABNC, folder 288, Banco de Londres y México (1916-1936). The notes have the same engraved signature, of William Morrison, and the weirdly imperialist portrait of Queen Victoria. The letters A to F are check letters, not serial letters.
| Date | Value | Number | Series | from | to |
| July 1883 | $2 | 50,000 | 1 | 50000 |
The surviving plates were cancelled on 7 December 1931The plates were:
1 – 6 on $2 face plate made on order 17 April 1866 for the Lima branch and altered on order 11 July 1883 for Mexico branch.
1 – 6 on $2 back plate made on order 21 August 1883
1 – 1 on $20 face plate made on order 5 November 1868
1 – 1 on $20 tint plate made on order 5 November 1868
1 – 1 on $20 back plate made on order 29 January 1874
1 – 1 on $50 face plate made on order 18 June 1868
1 – 1 on $50 tint plate made on order 18 June 1868
1 – 1 on $50 back plate made on order 29 January 1874
1 – 1 on $100 face plate made on order 17 August 1866
1 – 1 on $500 face plate made on order 17 August 1866
1 – 1 on $1,000 face plate made on order 17 August 1866 (ABNC, folder 288, Banco de Londres y México (1916-1936).
Counterfeits
On 21 August 1875 El Foro reported that some other newspapers blamed the bank itself for the appearance of counterfeit $100 notes. The bank had refused to pay out on counterfeit notes and the holders had, in turn taken their case to the courtsEl Foro, 21 August 1875.
A handdrawn counterfeit of a $100 note.