Bank Note: Mexico, 10 Pesos

1992.23.1156

Thumbnail of Bank Note: Mexico, 10 Pesos (1992.23.1156)

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Basic Information

Artifact Identification Bank Note: Mexico, 10 Pesos   (1992.23.1156)
Classification/
Nomenclature
  1. Communication Artifacts
  2. :
  3. Exchange Media
  4. :
  5. N/A
Artist/Maker Printer: Bouligny & Schmidt Sucr. Mexico.
Geographic Location
Period Mexican Revolution
Date June 15, 1914 CE
Culture Mexican
Location Not on Exhibit

Physical Analysis

Dimension 1 (Length) 18.0 cm
Dimension 2 (Width) 8.0 cm
Dimension 3 (Depth) <0.1 cm
Weight 1 g
Measuring Remarks N/A
Materials Paper, Pigment--Ink
Manufacturing Processes Printed

Research Remarks

Description

Present on this banknote is Polyhymnia, one of nine muses in Greek mythology. The muses were goddesses of arts, sciences, dance and song. They were also responsible for inspiring poets and artists alike in the creation of music, theater, literature, and other works of art and science. Polyhymnia is the muse of religious poetry, and therefore her domain extended into rhetoric, oratory, and sacred hymn. She often bears no attributes other than a pensive attitude as pictured above. She stands next to a shield with the word “PATRIA” (Patrimony) draped over an image of an eagle with a snake in its mouth, an emblem of Mexico. What is interesting about Polyhymnia’s appearance on this banknote is that she was often evoked when one wanted to exert eloquence for public speeches in the sphere of politics. Plausibly then, Polyhymnia is featured here to invoke eloquence for the nation’s political leaders.

Published Description N/A
Bibliography

Mercatante, Anthony S., and James R. Dow. The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and legend. Vol. 1. New York: Facts On File, 2009.

“Mexico Paper Money 10 Pesos Banknote, El Banco de Durango 1914.” Coins and Banknotes. Accessed September 20, 2023. https://coinsbanknotesworld.blogspot.com/2013/05/Mexico-paper-money-10-Pesos-banknote-Banco-Durango.html.

“Mousai.” Theoi Greek Mythology. Accessed September 20, 2023. https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/Mousai.html.;

“Polyhymnia - Facts and Information on the Goddess Polyhymnia.” Greek Gods & Goddesses, February 4, 2022. https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/polyhymnia/.

“PS-186.” Bank Note Museum. Accessed September 20, 2023. http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/AME/MEX/MEX-SPEC/MEXS0186.htm.

“Symbols of Mexico.” Embajada de México en el Reino Unido. Accessed September 6, 2023. https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/reinounido/images/stories/PDF/Meet_Mexico/2_meetmexico-symbolsofmexico.pdf.

“The Nine Muses of Greek Mythology and Their Powers | Greek Gods.” YouTube, January 8, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxvjdqYGz5g.

“Who Are the 9 Muses of Greek Mythology? | Symbolsage.” YouTube, May 24, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8DyJiTZUg0.

Artifact History

Credit Line/Dedication Gift of Harlan J. and Pamela Berk
Reproduction no

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