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50c notes of the Estado de Sonora

(This section is the result of research by Robert Perigoe. The information originally appeared in the March 2018 issue of the Journal of the U. S. Mexican Numismatic Association).

In the 50 centavos study group, there are a total of 69 notes represented, and 45 of them are actuals, not reproductions. Unfortunately, almost all of those (37) are from the fourth series, leaving just five actual notes in the first three series combined.

The 25c and 50c notes appear to have been printed together, judging by the apparent consistency in seal placements and numbering patterns. They still differ in their basic printing characteristics.

First Series

Est Sonora 50c 1 27153

Est Sonora 50c 1 27153 reverse

The identifying characteristic of the four printing positions is virtually the same as for the 25 centavos in its first series.

The descriptions of the reverse can be referenced above.

The front of the note mirrors most of the tell-tale features of its 25c companion, so the descriptions are not repeated here for Positions B, C and D. Position A is free of any of the distinctions in the other three.

The selection and location of the hand seals is also identical to the 25c. Once again, the hand seals used are types 5, 2, 3, and 1, appearing in Positions A through D respectively.

Presumably, the print runs also mirror those set out for the 25 centavos note.

Second Series through the Fourth

Est Sonora 50c 4 9056

Est Sonora 50c 4 9056 reverse

Apparently, the final three of the four series were also produced in lockstep with those of the 25 centavos issue.

Again, the print area in these series was extended sufficiently to accommodate the series number. All of the other attributes of the 25 centavos enabling the distinction between the four print positions are shared by the 50 centavos issue, and the hand seals are located in the same way.

There is, however one minor glitch in the serial numbering that shifts within the second series. For some reason, the serial numbering devices themselves became transposed after the first 8,000 notes were printed. (The change did not affect the type of number sign or hand seal used.) The sample strongly suggests that the devices moved in such a way that the top and upper middle ones appeared in the lower middle and bottom spots, and vice versa. This aberration is evidence of the fact that there may well be others, and numbering is not a reliable position indicator.