Product Owner: Banco de México
Banknote Denomination/s and Date of Issue
Banco de México’s new 50 peso banknote issued on 28th October 2021 is the latest series of Guardian™ polymer banknotes issued in the Bank’s G-family of notes.
The historical period of ancient Mexico is represented in the new note. The front of the new 50 peso note shows the foundation of Tenochtitlan the capital of the Aztec Empire. According to legend, the city was established by the Mexica tribe in the place where they found an eagle devouring a snake. The image is also depicted in the front of the note.
The main motif of the back of the note us the “ajolote” a salamander found in Mexican lakes and waterways, such as Xochimilco, which is also depicted as part of it habitat. This salamander is notable among amphibians because they reach adulthood without undergoing metamorphosis.
The new 50 peso’s like the 100 peso note is in a vertical orientation, incorporating a large, complex transparent window that features G-SWITCH™ and METALIX™ inks. Other features include an integrated magnetic thread with the denomination of the note.
Project Description
Banco de México’s 50 peso note, considered one of the most beautiful in the world is a design theme throughout the new series is events, buildings or people reflecting key stages in the Mexican history on the front, and images reflecting the country’s eco-heritage and biodiversity on the reverse. The 50 peso note is in vertical orientation and would be the third Guardian™ polymer note by CCL Secure in the G Series of Mexican banknotes.
Depicting a historical period of ancient Mexico, the obverse of the note represents the vignette or main motif of the composition of a fragment of the back of the monolith known as the “Pyramid surmounted by the temple of the sacred war” which shows an eagle perched on a cactus with the “Atl tlachinolli” in its beak, which is currently exhibited in Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology and was sculpted by the Mexica civilisation under the orders of Moctezuma II.
On the reverse of the note the ecosystem of rivers, lakes is represented by the Mexican salamander ( known as axolotl) and a corn field within the landscape of Xochimilco, Mexico City, a world heritage site.
The security features include a large transparent complex window that feature G-SWITCH™ and METALIX™ inks. G-SWITCH™ security features changes colour when a note is moved, of seen from different angles. On the 50-peso note the G-SWITCH™ ink changes colours from blue to gold while METALIX ink is in copper colour.
Innovation and Uniqueness of Security Features
Polymer notes have the inherent ability to house highly secure and durable security features. The 50-peso note includes some of the most highly secure features which integrated seamlessly into the beautiful designs of the banknote.
G-SWITCH™ is a visually overt feature that is easy to detect where it changes colours when tilted or when viewed in reflection and transmission. On the 50-peso note the ink changes colours from blue to gold.
METALIX™ is another security feature which provides metallic sheen in a range of colours adding to the impact of an image within the design which offers exceptional durability.
Other security features include Intaglio and embossing perceptible by touch, colour shifting elements and multicolour denominations.
Integration of historical or local content that is relevant to the country
concerned
Depicting key stages of Mexican history throughout the G-Series of notes. The 50-peso, is adorned with the Mexican culture and its history as a vertical note.
The front of the note shows the Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire. Founded around 1325 C.E and according to legend that Mexica founded Tenochtitlan after leaving their homeland Aztlan at the direction of their god Huitzilopochtli. The city was the capital of the expanding Aztec Empire in the 15th century. Considered one of the greatest cities in the ancient world and the largest city in the new world prior to the European Invasion.
The reverse of the note is represented by the Mexican Salamander. It’s believed that when the Ztecs settled the Valley of Mexico in the 13th century, they found the large salamander living in the lake surrounding the island where they built the capital Tenochtitlan.
Effectiveness of the integration of security features into the banknote
The new 50-peso Guardian™ polymer note features a large complex transparent window along with other security features like feature G-SWITCH™ and METALIX™ inks seamlessly integrated into this stunning polymer banknote.
G-SWITCH™ is a visually overt feature that is easy to detect where it changes colours when tilted or when viewed in reflection and transmission. On the 50-peso note the ink changes colours from blue to gold.
METALIX™ is another security feature which provides metallic sheen in a range of colours adding to the impact of an image within the design which offers exceptional durability.
Other security features include Intaglio and embossing perceptible by touch, colour shifting elements and multicolour denominations.
Aesthetic appeal and overall design of the banknote or banknote series
Considered one of the most beautiful banknotes in the world, the overall design of the 50-peso polymer note is a stunning visualising of a historical period of ancient Mexico. The note design theme throughout the G series of notes reflects key stages of Mexican history on the front and images reflecting countries eco-heritage and biodiversity on the reverse.
The 50-peso vertical note with its impressive design and feature construction which depicts the historical period of ancient Mexico. The front shows the foundation of Tenochtitlan the capital of the Aztec Empire. According to legend, the city was established by the Mexica tribe in the place where they found an eagle devouring a snake.
The main motif of the back of the note is the “axolotl” a salamander found in Mexican lakes and waterways, such as Xochimilco, which is also depicted as part of it habitat.
