More than two years ago I posted about the new series of Peso bills issued in Mexico. It talks about the larger $500, $200, and $100 bills (note, the $ is the sign for the peso, not the dollar in this case), but not about the smaller $20 and $50 banknotes. That had a good reason: The recently released fifty peso bill was simply inaccessible at that time...
Worth Much More Than Face Value
The new series of peso bills has a strong natural theme running through it. From monarch butterflies to whales and giant cacti and birds of prey, Mexico is placing a huge emphasis on its native wildlife, oftentimes endangered. But even if they are near extinction, at least they should be remembered by the populace as they pass the cash from hand to hand.
As it turns out, soon after the new bills were brought into circulation at the end of 2021, the fifty peso bill, featuring its iconic Axolotl, immediately captured the hearts of the International Bank Note Society, who made it the Bank Note of the Year. Immediately collectors started snatching up these bills, hoping for an immediate rise in value. As a result - or maybe to help further increase its value - the Mexican Central Bank stopped emitting this new banknote. (I could imagine the individuals working there to be also avid collectors!)
The Ever Popular Axolotl
The creature that got so much adoration is probably the most popular animal in Mexico by far. A tiny amphibian, endemic to the lake that once existed where Mexico City is located today. It can be still encountered in the wild, mostly in the (less polluted parts of the) canals of Xochimilco, in the southern part of the city, which are the last remnants of said lake. It may be the fact that it seems to wear a constant smile on its face, or perhaps that it can regrow its entire limbs, this critically endangered salamander is a huge favorite. I have posted about it appearing on murals here, here, and even here.
But now, after the collectors have had a chance to get their greedy fingers on this award-winning bank note (and quite possibly sell it to other collectors), it seems to be time to fulfill the original purpose of this item of legal tender, and bring it back into circulation. As such, the first one actually found its way into my own hands. So here it is: Enjoy, while it is still somewhat unusual. Soon enough it will become merely another one of those worn and crumpled money things in your pocket, which will buy you a beer, I suppose.
That's fascinating!