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    Between tradition and technology

    What was proposed was a complete about-face from the philosophy behind recent security printing. If photocopiers could easily deal with the colours and designs of the current series, then the next series should be bold and simple.

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New Acquisitions

By: Raewyn Passmore


May 21, 2015

Everyone loves getting presents, and we’re no exception. We recently received a very exciting donation of 50 silver coins. The collection—which includes Spanish colonial cobs, Spanish silver coins and Peruvian Republican coins—was purchased in Lima, Peru, at an estate sale in the 1950s.

Handmade coins

Spanish colonial cobs, circa 1586-1762. NCC2015.7.1-8

Often associated with pirate treasure, cobs are irregularly shaped coins produced in Spain’s American colonies beginning in the 16th century and continuing into the 18th century. The colonial mints didn’t have the equipment to mill fine, round coins, so they sliced pieces off a rounded metal bar and stamped them by hand instead. Some of the coins depict the Pillars of Hercules—the rocks on either side of the Strait of Gibraltar—which represented Spain’s expansive global empire. Some people believe that the ribbon-wrapped pillar is the origin of the dollar symbol.

Handmade coin

Spanish colonies, 8 reales cob or ‘piece of eight’, minted in Potosi, Bolivia, 1734. NCC2015.7.8

Eventually, the colonial mints received the tools to produce uniform, round coins. A number of the coins in the donation have holes punched in them. The donor was told that the holes were made to string the coins together to keep them secure on perilous road journeys. In some cultures around the world silver coins have been sewn onto clothing as decoration and a store of value. Our curators will be trying to find out more about these coins and how they were used.

Coin with hole

Spanish colonies, holed 2 reales, minted in Potosi, Bolivia, 1770. NCC2015.7.11

Many Spanish colonies fought for their independence throughout the 19th century. In 1826, the Republic of Peru began to mint its own coins that celebrated its hard-won freedom. Instead of Latin, the inscriptions on these new coins were in Spanish. The reverse of the coin shown here depicts Liberty, in the form of woman wearing a helmet and holding a spear and a shield. On the obverse is the Peruvian coat of arms divided into three sections that depict a vicuña (an animal similar to a llama), a cinchona tree (source of the anti-malarial drug quinine) and a cornucopia overflowing with coins. Today, the same coat of arms appears on Peru’s coins and national flag.

Silver coin

Republic of Peru, 2 reales, minted in Lima, 1840. NCC2015.7.21

The Bank of Canada Museum receives many offers of objects for the Collection, but unfortunately we cannot accept them all. Our vault space is limited, and every object requires the same amount of time and care—no matter how small or ordinary. If you have something that you would like to donate to the National Currency Collection, please contact the . Please do not send any objects to us directly.

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Content type(s): Blog posts

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The Museum Blog

May 5, 2022

Between tradition and technology

By: Graham Iddon


Collage, man at an easel, paintings of birds and a goose illustration with comments written on it.
What was proposed was a complete about-face from the philosophy behind recent security printing. If photocopiers could easily deal with the colours and designs of the current series, then the next series should be bold and simple.
Content type(s): Blog posts
April 21, 2022

Teaching the green economy

By: Adam Young


From windmills and solar panels to electric cars, signs of the green economy are all around us. Check out our resources for how to teach about the green economy.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Business and careers, Economy, Geography, Science, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
April 4, 2022

Talk to your kids about money

By: Heather Montgomery


Collage, ceramic pig on background of a bank book and a stamp folder with kids on it.
Introduce important financial skills to your children, and help them plan for their futures with free resources from the Bank of Canada Museum and others.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Financial literacy Grade level(s): Early childhood / Kindergarten, Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03, 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
March 3, 2022

Teaching inflation during the COVID-19 pandemic

By: Heather Montgomery


COVID-19 has had an unprecedented effect on the economy: closing businesses, driving down demand and interrupting supplies. With news stories and popular culture addressing inflation and supply chain issues, now is the perfect time to explain this key economic concept to your high school students.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy Grade level(s): Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
February 3, 2022

Queen of the bank notes

By: Graham Iddon


Few of us have ever met her, and it’s likely none of us are even remotely related to her. Yet, Canadians have carried her picture in their wallets for generations now. She’s Queen Elizabeth II and has been our monarch for over 70 years.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
December 22, 2021

New acquisitions–2021 edition

By: David Bergeron


The Bank of Canada Museum is responsible for the National Currency Collection, and part of its mandate is to foster and develop that collection. Despite the challenges of collecting during a pandemic, curators at the Bank of Canada Museum have acquired some unique artifacts—including some that document the pandemic itself.
Content type(s): Blog posts

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