Banknote USA 12 1/2 Centavos - New Mexico - Santa Fe - Spiegelberg Hermanos - 01-01-1863

   With an 8.2cm by 5cm size, this banknote is uniface. So far, the format and the presentation correspond to the majority of the notes printed and issued in the United States.

We perceive a hunter standing with a rifle, in the middle of a field. What is most intriguing is that the banknote is neither signed nor numbered, although it is dated January 1, 1863 and the text is written in Spanish as well as the face value of 12 ½ centavos, although the banknote is printed in the United States. More specifically, we are in New Mexico, in Santa Fe. This region - not yet a U.S. state - has been Spanish-speaking for over three centuries. In the 1860s, the United States was still in the process of conquering the West. New Mexico, as well as other neighboring regions, was among the areas to be colonized, pacified and integrated into the United States of America. Federally appointed military commanders are in charge of this policy.

The issuing institute of this banknote is called "Spiegelberg Hermanos", founded by two brothers.

In 1846, Solomon Jacob Spiegelberg, born in Prussia in 1824, became the first Jewish merchant in Santa Fe. We know that he first worked as a canteen worker in the forces of Colonel Sterling Price during the American occupation of New Mexico. In 1846, he decided to create his own business. In 1848, his brother Levi joined him in New Mexico along with other family members, Elias, Emanuel, Lehman, Willi and Hannchen and Mindelchen sisters. Solomon and Levi become Spiegelberg Hermanos.

By the 1850s, their business was booming. They expand it outside of New Mexico. With such growth, the other brothers joined forces. Selling everything from a pin to a piano, the Spiegelbergs quickly became important members of the Santa Fe business community, such that Willi's house was the first in Santa Fe to have gas and running water. To further expand their influence, they created a credit system for Hispanic workers. At that time in New Mexico, currency with a high face value often tended to be in short supply, and generally, English-speaking workers were paid double. Also, they allowed their Hispanic customers to barter certain commodities such as agricultural products for certificates that were then sold to the Anglophones in cash.

During the American Civil War, silver coins became scarce. To ensure the creation of money circulation, Spiegelberg Hermanos was one of the first companies in the West to be granted the privilege of issuing their own money in the form of 10, 20 and 50 Cents.

By the 1870s, the company had become so influential that to control their cash and credit in the absence of real banks, the brothers became bankers, unofficially until 1872. In that year, the company received a charter stating that they became the Second National Bank of Santa Fe. Lehman was president, and Willi the cashier. Solomon and Levi were shareholders and moved to New York.

Without a doubt, the Spiegelbergs' influence contributed to the economic development of New Mexico. In 1893, they decided to liquidate the bank and move to New York. Nowadays, the Jewish Museum of the American West and the Southwestern Jewish Archives at the University of Arizona devote much attention and recognition to this family.