About the note
This is the Bank of Canada’s first commemorative note; it celebrates King George V’s Silver Jubilee—25 years on the throne. King George V wears the Imperial State Crown, and Queen Mary wears the Diamond Diadem. Queen Elizabeth II wore this crown on Canada’s coins from 1990 through 2003. The portrait of the King was engraved by Edwin Gunn, and that of the Queen by Will Ford—both of American Bank Note Company (ABN).
This is the only Canadian government bank note in this denomination or colour. It is also the only Canadian government note ever to feature an image from outside Canada. The vignette is of Windsor Castle, one of several palatial homes owned by the British Royal Family. Parts of the castle date back to the 11th century when it was commissioned by William the Conqueror. This makes it the oldest continuously occupied castle in the world. Louis Delnoce of ABN engraved the image, based on a photograph by Raphael Tuck & Sons.
At a glance
- Portrait: King George V and Queen Mary
- Date of issue: May 6, 1935
- Last day of issue: January 2, 1937
- Signatures:
- Deputy Governor John A. C. Osborne
- Governor Graham F. Towers
- Dimensions: 15.1 cm x 7.3 cm
- Design: American Bank Note Company Ltd., Canadian Bank Note Company Ltd.
- Printer: Canadian Bank Note Company Ltd.
- Status: not legal tender
