Archives
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July 15, 2014
First Series $1000 Note
The $1,000 note was printed by Canadian Bank Note Company Ltd. The front carries a portrait of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada’s seventh prime minister. -
September 9, 2015
Frontiers Series $20 Commemorative Note
This note was issued on 9 September 2015 to honour Queen Elizabeth II as the longest-reigning sovereign in Canada’s modern era. -
July 7, 2014
Frontiers Series $20 Note
The Frontiers series $20 bill features a new portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The vignette on the back is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial located on the site of the 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge in northern France. -
September 9, 2019
Bank Note/Billet de banque
The first Canadian paper money was issued in 1817, and for the next 120 years, the vast majority of Canadian bank notes were only in English. -
December 28, 2018
A Good Deal
In Canada playing cards were used as form of emergency money at a time when the colony constantly suffered from a shortage gold and silver coins. -
November 8, 2018
Money of the First World War
In Europe, gold and silver coins largely disappeared from circulation as they were hoarded or as governments used the metal for the war effort. -
April 19, 2021
Bank of Canada Museum: Website Privacy Statement
The Bank of Canada Museum is committed to providing visitors with a website that respects their privacy. -
June 16, 2022
Army bills: Funding the War of 1812
In 1812, British North America had no banks and little currency. With the prospect of war drying up supplies of coins, the government of Lower Canada decided to issue legal tender notes called “army bills” to pay for troops and supplies. -
May 5, 2020
The “Streak of Rust” and the King of Newfoundland
Reid was on the verge of ruin, yet insisted on continuing railway construction. Suffering huge losses, and with no credit or cash resources, Reid issued wage notes to pay his employees. -
January 4, 2021
Economic Opportunity Costs
With his superpowers, Peter Parker would no doubt do a fabulous job of tiling his kitchen backsplash. But as Spider-Man, he has more valuable things to do with his time.