Explore stories from our collection and our economic heritage.
July 16, 2020
Johnson’s Counterfeits
By: David Bergeron
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.
Content type(s):
Blog posts
June 29, 2020
The Reluctant Bank Note
By: Graham Iddon
Among 1975 $50 bill’s various design proposals were three images, three thematic colours and even three printing methods.
Content type(s):
Blog posts
June 11, 2020
Nominating an Icon for the Next $5 Bank Note
By: Graham Iddon
Using a Bank of Canada Museum lesson plan, nearly 200 students told us who they thought should be the bank NOTE-able Canadian on our new $5 bill.
Content type(s):
Blog posts
Subject(s):
History,
Social studies
Grade level(s):
Grade 06,
Grade 07 / Secondary 1,
Grade 08 / Secondary 2,
Grade 09 / Secondary 3,
Grade 10 / Secondary 4
May 5, 2020
The “Streak of Rust” and the King of Newfoundland
By: David Bergeron
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.
Content type(s):
Blog posts
April 22, 2020
Retired Cash
By: Graham Iddon
In January 2021, 17 of our old bank notes will lose their legal tender status—what does that mean?
Content type(s):
Blog posts