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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 1866, a few months after it produced a similar series, with similar designs, for the bank's branch in Lima, Peru.

Sudamerica 1000 A 1211

Sudamerica 1000 A 1211 reverse

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 later runs the ABNC added the text "en la Ciudad de México". The $50 note again used 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

 

Date Value Number Series from to
January 1869 $20 10,303 A 1 10303

 Sudamerica 50 model

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

 

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.

Sudamerica 20 B 1004

Sudamerica 20 B 1004 reverse

Sudamerica 500 A 2438

Sudamerica 500 A 2438 reverse

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.

BLMSA 20 Bb 00000

BLMSA 20 Bb 00000 reverse

Sudamerica 50 Aa 18005

Sudamerica 50 Aa 18005 reverse

Sudamerica 100 Aa 17002

Sudamerica 100 Aa 17002 reverse

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 bank. 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.

Sudamerica 2 00000

Sudamerica 2 00000 reverse

Date Value Number Series from to
July 1883 $2 50,000   1 50000

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.