Blog
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March 23, 2021
The Last Smokestack
Putting an industrial facility on a bank note is not a casual decision. At the end of the 1960s, such places were earning a bad reputation for pollution. There was actually a good reason for this choice, but it wasn’t obvious to many Canadians.
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February 26, 2021
Playing with Economy
There might be only a handful of basic game formats, but there is an infinity of variations—a surprising number of which require the skills we need to manage our daily economic lives.
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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.
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November 30, 2020
How Many Groats Are in a Noble?
For daily users of modern money, getting an understanding of the old British system of currency can be an act of confusion and wonder. But it’s also a peep into 13 centuries of European numismatic history.
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November 27, 2020
Understanding Money: Common Questions
Ever wondered who decides what goes on Canadian coins or bank notes? Or why our coins have certain names and our notes are different colours? Use this guide to help answer some of your money-related questions!
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November 2, 2020
Teaching Economics During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authentic, teachable moments show students how the Bank of Canada is helping the economy navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
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October 21, 2020
The Story Behind the Engraving
The men on the back of this bill were part of a small community of families, a summer hunting camp called Aulatsiivik on Baffin Island.
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October 5, 2020
If I Had a Million Dollars…I’d Be Reasonably Well Off
When the Barenaked Ladies released “If I Had a $1,000,000,” they could have considered themselves reasonably rich. And today? Well, there’s this inflation thing…
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July 16, 2020
Johnson’s Counterfeits
Johnson’s entire family, two girls and five boys, was involved in the counterfeiting operation: dad made the plates, the daughters forged the signatures and the boys were learning to be engravers.
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June 29, 2020
The Reluctant Bank Note
Among 1975 $50 bill’s various design proposals were three images, three thematic colours and even three printing methods.
