Mexico 2000 Pesos Justo Sierra 1989 Pick 86c Series DT UNC Banknote

The Mexico 2000 Pesos 1989 Pick 86c Series DT is a classic late-20th-century Mexican banknote dedicated to Justo Sierra Méndez, one of the most influential figures in the development of modern Mexican education.

Issued by Banco de México, the note combines Sierra’s portrait with imagery connected to Mexican higher education. The obverse depicts the famous Central Library of UNAM, while the reverse looks further into the country’s academic past with a 19th-century university courtyard. Billetes.com

This particular example belongs to Series DT, one of the prefixes documented for the 1989 P-86c variety. Billetes.com

Historical Background

Justo Sierra Méndez (1848–1912) was a Mexican writer, historian, journalist, educator and politician whose legacy is particularly associated with the development of public education.

As Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts, Sierra was instrumental in the creation of the National University of Mexico in 1910, the institution that would later become today’s Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

This explains the strong educational theme of the 2,000 Pesos note: Sierra’s portrait is paired with the modern university on the front and a historic Mexican university courtyard on the reverse.

The denomination also comes from an interesting period of Mexican monetary history. High nominal values such as 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and even higher Peso denominations became common before Mexico’s 1993 currency reform, when 1 Nuevo Peso replaced 1,000 old Pesos.

Technical Specifications

• Country: Mexico
• Denomination: 2,000 Pesos
• Date: 28 March 1989
• Pick Number: P-86c
• Series: DT
• Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
• Issuer: Banco de México
• Currency: Mexican Peso (MXP)
• Material: Paper
• Dimensions: approximately 157 × 67 mm
• Dominant Colours: Blue, brown and multicolour
• Portrait: Justo Sierra Méndez
• Obverse Landmark: UNAM Central Library
• Reverse: Historic university courtyard
• Printer: Banco de México
• Obverse Engraver: Jorge Peral
• Reverse Engraver: Sergio Moreno
• Type: Standard circulation banknote
• Demonetized: 1 January 1996 Numista

Obverse

The obverse features:

• Portrait of Justo Sierra Méndez
• Central Library of UNAM
• Banco de México inscription
• 2,000 Pesos denomination
• Date 28 March 1989
• Series DT
• Three authorised signatures
• Serial number
• Detailed geometric security patterns

The Central Library of UNAM in Mexico City is immediately recognisable from its monumental mural-covered façades. Its appearance beside Justo Sierra creates a direct connection between the educator and the university tradition he helped develop. Numista

The portrait engraving is credited to Jorge Peral. Numista

Reverse

The reverse depicts:

• Courtyard of the historic Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico
• Banco de México seal
• 2,000 Pesos denomination
• Inscription “Universidad Siglo XIX”
• Detailed architectural engraving

The Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico traces its origins to the 16th century and was one of the earliest universities established in the Americas.

The reverse engraving is credited to Sergio Moreno, whose name appears beside the university scene. Numista

Security Features

The P-86c incorporates security and printing characteristics typical of Banco de México notes of the period, including:

• Detailed engraved portrait
• Intricate guilloché patterns
• Fine-line security backgrounds
• Complex multicolour underprint
• Serial numbering
• Series identification
• Detailed intaglio-style engraving
• High-detail architectural imagery

These elements combine functional anti-counterfeiting characteristics with the elaborate artistic engraving characteristic of Mexican banknotes from this period.

Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?

The Mexico 2000 Pesos Justo Sierra 1989 Pick 86c Series DT UNC banknote combines Mexican educational history, distinctive university architecture and the fascinating high-denomination currency period preceding the Nuevo Peso reform.

It is particularly suitable for collectors of Mexican banknotes, Latin American currency, universities on banknotes, writers and educators, vintage Banco de México issues and UNC world paper money.

Collector’s Note

There are three principal dated varieties of this 2,000 Pesos design:

• P-86a: 19 July 1985 — series AK to BD
• P-86b: 24 February 1987 — series BE to DD
• P-86c: 28 March 1989 — series DE to EL Numista

Therefore, Series DT falls correctly within the P-86c range. More importantly, a Series DT example is specifically documented in the collector market as P-86c, confirming the classification rather than merely inferring it from the prefix range. Billetes.com

Another useful distinction is that P-86c is catalogued without the “SANTANA” inscription found on the lower-left area of the earlier P-86a type. PMG Notes

The note was eventually demonetized on 1 January 1996, after Mexico had already redenominated its currency by removing three zeros. Its original 2,000 old Pesos therefore corresponded nominally to 2 Nuevos Pesos after the 1993 reform. Numista