About the note
The First series $50 note carries a portrait of Prince Albert, Duke of York, second son of King George V and Queen Mary. He was the future King George VI. Robert Savage of American Bank Note Company (ABN) engraved the image after a photo by Bertram Park. The Prince is pictured wearing an admiral’s uniform. Though he was initially in the Royal Navy during the First World War, Prince Albert afterwards switched to the Royal Air Force, becoming the first in his family to learn to fly. This same portrait would be used on six bank notes in the next series—issued after Prince Albert became King.
The vignette on the back is an allegory for radio. This incongruous engraving shows a classical allegorical figure speaking into a microphone. The background is a globe, symbolizing long-distance communications. Less obvious is the meaning of the smoking canon next to the figure. A smoking gun usually refers to evidence and justice or to a significant change that can’t be reversed. The engraver is Robert Savage, and the source image is a painting by Alonzo E. Foringer—both of ABN.
At a glance
- Portrait: Prince Albert, Duke of York
- Date of issue: March 11, 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: legal tender
