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Notes from the Collection: Recent Acquisitions II

By: Paul S. Berry


April 22, 2014
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It’s not all dollars and cents

This month’s selections highlight various areas of Collection development. These include what are called financial instruments: items such as stocks, bonds shares and other articles that represent a contract to deliver money in some manner. These provide context for Canada’s economic development. We are also looking at historic examples of Canadian “money” and pieces of significant international historical interest.

Canada, Share Certificate, Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company, 1906

In the 19th century, the telegraph, or the sending of messages by impulses along wires using Morse Code, was the dominant form of long distance communication. This all changed at the turn of the 20th century with experiments by Marconi and Fessenden into wireless telegraphy, or radio waves. Wires were no longer needed and ships in distress could communicate with other vessels or facilities on land. The Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company was one of several firms created at that time in Europe and North America to promote (and profit from) this new form of mass communication. In 1919 Marconi Wireless opened Canada’s first radio station: XWA in Montreal and later pioneered research into television.

U.S.A., unissued counterfeit notes, early 19th century

Criminals near St. Armand on the Canadian side of the Vermont/Québec border counterfeited large numbers of American bank notes in the early 19th century. Called “Cogniac Street” after slang for counterfeit money, this area was shielded from American prosecution by the international boundary and too far distant from Montreal for effective policing. In February 1813, however, local authorities arrested Daniel Blasdell, Joel Hill and Thomas Adams Lewis and seized a quantity of counterfeit notes. Blasdell turned King’s evidence and informed his captors that Hill and Adams had hired him to sign their bogus paper, samples of which are shown here.

China, Park-Union Foreign Banking Corporation, 10 dollars proof, 1922

The early 20th century witnessed a considerable expansion of Canadian banks as they enlarged local networks and moved into foreign centres. Branches opened in South America, the Caribbean and Mexico to take advantage of traditional trade opportunities. In 1919, the Union Bank of Canada entered into a joint venture with the National Park Bank of New York to bring banking services to the Far East. From its head office in New York, the Park-Union Bank managed offices in Shanghai, Tokyo, Yokohama and Paris. Facing stiff competition from other foreign banks in China, the Park-Union Bank ceased operations in April 1922. No issued notes are known to exist, only specimens and printer proofs like that above.

Ilkhanids, Arghun, silver dirhem, 1284-1291

The Ilkhanids or lesser khans of Persia was one of several dynasties created during the Mongol invasions of the Eurasian continent in the 13th century. Their territory encompassed much of modern Iran and Iraq. Hulagu, grandson of Genghis Khan, became the first Ilkhanid ruler through the conquest of Persia in 1258 and with the execution of the last Abbasid ruler at Bagdad. Arghun (1284-1291) was Hulagu’s grandson and fourth in the line of the Ilkhanid rulers. He is known today for his attempts to encourage the European powers to participate in a crusade against the Mamluks of Egypt. Silver dirhems issued during his rule include both Mongolian and Arabic script.

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November 27, 2023

Mo’ money, mo’ questions

By: Heather Montgomery


But what do you do with money once you have it? That’s for you to decide. A budget can really help. It will allow you to keep track of what you earn (income) and what you spend (expenses).
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Financial literacy Grade level(s): Grade 04, Grade 05, Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
November 16, 2023

Understanding cryptocurrencies

By: Graham Iddon


Un circuit imprimé d’un ordinateur avec des dizaines de circuits et un ventilateur.
Most of us are aware of them, but how much do we really understand about cryptocurrencies?
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, Financial literacy Grade level(s): Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
September 12, 2023

A checkup on cheques

By: David Bergeron


Photo, a tabletop with several printed paper forms and hand-written documents plus a bank card.  
With the continuing rise of e-transfers and electronic payments, people have been predicting the death of the humble cheque for decades. But it hasn’t happened yet.
Content type(s): Blog posts
July 31, 2023

The Scenes of Canada series $100 bill

By: Graham Iddon


Few of us ever get a chance to see a Scenes of Canada $100 bill. Which is a pity, because it is an example of great bank note design with even greater imagery by a master engraver.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
July 13, 2023

Caring for your bank notes

By: Graham Iddon


Collecting paper money seems simple enough. But, paper is delicate stuff and demands a gentle touch.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Arts
May 3, 2023

Teaching math using money

By: Jonathan Jerome


From skip counting to making change, working with money is a great way for students to practice math skills.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, Financial literacy, Math Grade level(s): Early childhood / Kindergarten, Grade 01, Grade 02

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