Caricatured Mexican, 5 Centavos, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 2) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This chromolithograph, made around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., presents us with a caricature of a Mexican figure, part of a series promoting Duke brand cigarettes. The figure sports a sombrero adorned with flowers and holds a red serape, while a large coin bearing the Mexican coat of arms is prominently displayed. Note the eagle on the coin, clutching a serpent – an ancient symbol dating back to Aztec mythology. The Aztecs believed that their god Huitzilopochtli told them to build a city where they saw an eagle eating a snake. It is a powerful symbol of identity and origin. Yet, here, it is reduced to a mere caricature, deployed within a commercial context. Consider the historical context: the late 19th century, a time when many Western countries were exercising their dominance over other nations. These images, distributed en masse, would have played a role in shaping and reinforcing these cultural and racial attitudes, leaving an indelible mark on the collective psyche.