The Museum Blog

• September 12, 2023

  A checkup on cheques

  By: David Bergeron

  
  

  

  With the continuing rise of e-transfers and electronic payments, people have been predicting the death of the humble cheque for decades. But it hasn’t happened yet.

  Content type(s): Blog posts
• July 31, 2023

  The Scenes of Canada series $100 bill

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Few of us ever get a chance to see a Scenes of Canada $100 bill. Which is a pity, because it is an example of great bank note design with even greater imagery by a master engraver.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
• July 13, 2023

  Caring for your bank notes

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Collecting paper money seems simple enough. But, paper is delicate stuff and demands a gentle touch.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Arts
• May 3, 2023

  Teaching math using money

  By: Jonathan Jerome

  
  

  

  From skip counting to making change, working with money is a great way for students to practice math skills.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, Financial literacy, Math Grade level(s): Early childhood / Kindergarten, Grade 01, Grade 02
• April 4, 2023

  Caring for your coins

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Coin collecting can be a fun and fascinating hobby. But there are a few things you should know to keep your collection safe and in good condition. Because coins aren’t as robust as you might imagine.

  Content type(s): Blog posts
• March 22, 2023

  Security is in the bank note

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Security printing is a game of anticipating and responding to criminal threats. Counterfeiting is a game of anticipating and responding to bank note design. This cat and mouse relationship affects every aspect of a bank note.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, Financial literacy 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
• February 2, 2023

  Teaching art with currency

  By: Adam Young

  
  

  

  From design to final product, bank notes and coins can be used to explore and teach art, media and process.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Arts, Education Grade level(s): 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
• January 20, 2023

  New Acquisitions—2022 Edition

  By: David Bergeron, Krista Broeckx

  
  

  

  It’s a new year—the perfect time to look back at some notable artifacts the Museum added to the National Currency collection from 2022. Each object has a unique story to tell about Canada’s monetary and economic history.

  Content type(s): Blog posts
• December 6, 2022

  Money: it’s a question of trust

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  The dollars and cents we use wouldn’t be worth anything to anybody if we didn’t have confidence in it. No matter if it’s gold or digits on a hard drive, public trust is the secret ingredient in a successful currency.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy
• November 14, 2022

  The day Winnipeg was invaded

  By: David Bergeron

  
  

  

  People on the street were randomly stopped and searched, and some were even arrested and imprisoned in an internment camp. Even German marks replaced Canadian currency in circulation—in the form of If Day propaganda notes.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History Grade level(s): Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP