Who's On Canadian Money? - manufactured1987.com

Portrait Banknotes

The first Canadian banknote portraits featured important figures in Canadian history.

The use of portrait banknotes is a significant aspect of Canadian currency design, showcasing notable individuals from the country’s rich history.

The first Canadian banknote portraits were featured on the 1954 Bank of Canada issue, which introduced Sir John A. Macdonald as one of its central figures.

Sir John A. Macdonald was a pivotal figure in the formation and development of modern Canada, serving twice as the country’s Prime Minister and playing a key role in the country’s early years.

He is often credited with leading the process that led to Canadian confederation and shaping the nation’s governance structure.

The Bank of Canada introduced several other notable figures on its banknotes over the years, including Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Queen Elizabeth II, and Sir George-Étienne Cartier.

These individuals have been chosen for their significant contributions to Canadian society, history, and governance.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier was a prominent Prime Minister who served from 1896 to 1911 and implemented policies aimed at promoting national unity and development.

Queen Elizabeth II has had the longest reign of any British monarch and is often depicted on Canadian currency in connection with her role as the head of state for Canada.

Sir George-Étienne Cartier was a key figure in the early history of Quebec and a leading politician during the period of Canadian Confederation, working closely alongside Sir John A. Macdonald to shape the nation’s governance structure.

These portraits not only serve as a tribute to their achievements but also provide a sense of continuity with Canada’s past and its ongoing evolution.

* A portrait of Sir Wilfrid Laurier was introduced on a $100 note in 1986.

The Bank of Canada issues banknotes that are used as a medium of exchange and store of value by Canadians. The most widely used denominations are $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

One distinctive feature of many Canadian banknote series is the inclusion of portraits of prominent Canadians on the obverse (front) side of the note.

Here are some examples of portrait banknotes in circulation:

$20 note featuring Viola Desmond
$50 note featuring William Lyon Mackenzie King
$100 note featuring Sir Wilfrid Laurier and James Coast Douglas (1994 series)

The Bank of Canada has issued several series of banknotes since 1935, with each series introducing new portrait designs and security features.

Some notable examples include:

$100 note featuring Sir Wilfrid Laurier (1986)

The portraits on Canadian banknotes are intended to promote a sense of national identity and pride. They are often chosen for their contributions to Canada’s history, politics, or culture.

* Queen Elizabeth II’s image was first displayed on a $20 note in 1935.

Credit for designing Portrait Banknotes is often attributed to Graham McGeachy and George Gauthier, two artists who designed the first banknote portrait in 1935 featuring King George V.

The Portrait Banknote series, as it came to be known, has since featured portraits of many Canadian monarchs, governors general, and notable Canadians.

The Queen Elizabeth II $20 note, introduced in 1935, was a departure from the previously used banknotes featuring British monarchs. However, her image appeared on various denominations, including $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20 bills.

In addition to Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait, other notable figures featured on Portrait Banknotes include:

Queen Victoria
King George VI
Pierre-Essai Dumont (author)
Isabella Valancy Crawford (poet)
Mary Scacchetti (nurse)
Florence Nightingale
Ryerson, Egerton (engineer)
Sir John A. Macdonald (prime minister)
George-Étienne Cartier (politician)
Jacques Casault (explorer)

The Portrait Banknote series was designed to showcase the rich history and heritage of Canada, highlighting notable figures who have contributed to the country’s growth and development.

Historical Banknotes

Certain banknote series have been discontinued since the 1990s.

The history of banknotes in Canada dates back to the early 19th century, when paper money was first introduced. Over the years, various banknote series have been issued and discontinued. Here are some examples:

Pre-Confederation Era

In the early days of Canadian banking, paper money was issued by individual banks and financial institutions. These notes were not standardized and often featured the institution’s own logo or image.

The Charlottetown Series (1870)

The first national banknote series in Canada was introduced in 1870, following the Charlottetown Conference that led to Canadian Confederation. This series featured a portrait of Queen Victoria and was issued by the Bank of British North America.

Other Early Series

The Ottawa Series (1885): Featured Queen Victoria’s portrait again, with an additional vignette of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.
The Banque d’Algérie Series (1891): Issued by the Banque d’Algérie in Quebec City, this series featured a portrait of King Leopold II.

The 1923 Series and its Successors

In 1923, the Bank of Canada introduced its first national banknote series. This series was designed by Bertram Mackenzie and featured a unique portrait of George V in addition to various commemorative vignettes.

Successor series include:

The 1935 Series: Introduced new security features, including raised printing on the $20 note.
The 1942 Series: Featured King George VI’s portrait for the first time, replacing the older image of King George V.
The 1954 Series: Further updated the banknote design with a modernized portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

Discontinued Series since 1990s

Since the 1990s, several banknote series have been discontinued and replaced by newer designs. Some notable examples include:

The 1969 Series: A high-denomination series featuring a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
The 1974 Series (also known as the “McLuhan” or “McLuhan-Sutherland” series): Introduced by the Bank of Canada, this series was widely criticized and eventually withdrawn due to its lack of security features.

These discontinued banknote series have been replaced with newer designs that incorporate advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting and ensure public trust in the Canadian banking system.

* The Series E banknotes, featuring King George VI, were phased out of circulation by 2001.

Historical banknotes refer to notes that were previously used as a medium of exchange but have since been withdrawn from circulation and replaced by newer designs or electronic payments methods. These notes often hold significant historical value and can be highly collectible.

The Series E banknotes, featuring King George VI, are one such example of historical banknotes. Issued by the Bank of Canada, these notes were introduced in 1935 and remained in circulation until 2001. The Series E notes featured a portrait of King George VI, who was the monarch of the United Kingdom during World War II.

During the 20th century, Canada’s banknote designs underwent several changes to reflect the country’s growth and development. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Bank of Canada introduced new Series A and B notes that featured modern Canadian scenes and portraits of notable Canadians.

The introduction of the polymer $100 note in 2011 marked a significant change in Canadian banknote design, as it featured the first portrait of a woman, Viola Desmond. This was followed by the introduction of the polymer $50 note featuring Wilfred Carter and the polymer $20 note featuring Viola Desmond and Emily Murphy.

Today, Canadian banknotes feature a diverse range of portraits and images that reflect the country’s history, culture, and values. The Bank of Canada continues to evolve its design philosophy to ensure that the currency is accessible, secure, and respectful of all Canadians.

The historical context of Series E banknotes can be seen as a reflection of Canada’s relationship with the British monarchy during World War II. King George VI played an important role in rallying the nation during this time, and his image on Canadian banknotes served as a symbol of national unity and loyalty to the crown.

In 2001, the Bank of Canada announced that it would phase out Series E banknotes from circulation and replace them with newer designs. The decision marked a significant change in Canada’s banking system, as it transitioned away from traditional paper currency towards more secure and durable polymer notes.

* A $100 note bearing a portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald was withdrawn from circulation in the early 1990s.

The history of banknotes in Canada dates back to 1935, when the first polymer banknote was introduced by the Dominion of Canada. Since then, the design and composition of banknotes have undergone significant changes.

One notable example is the $100 note bearing a portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald, which was withdrawn from circulation in the early 1990s. However, this was not due to any issues with the security or authenticity of the note but rather because it had been replaced by a new $100 note featuring an image of a North American beaver.

Below is a list of some historical banknotes that were once in circulation:

$1, $2, $5, and $10 notes issued between 1935 and 1949, featuring images of the King’s portrait
$20 note issued in 1954, featuring an image of Queen Elizabeth II on one side and a portrait of John George Diefenbaker on the other
$50 note issued between 1975 and 1988, bearing an image of Sir Wilfrid Laurier

The introduction of new banknotes over time has helped to maintain the currency’s value and prevent counterfeiting. Some notable features include:

Security thread: a thin strip embedded in the paper that glows pink under ultraviolet (UV) light
Hologram: a three-dimensional image created using metalized foil and holographic technology
Microprint: very small text printed at a microscopic scale to prevent counterfeiting

The Canadian government has also taken steps to incorporate diverse imagery and themes into the design of banknotes, including:

Agricultural images on $5 notes issued in 2013, featuring scenes from the wheat fields of Alberta to the vineyards of British Columbia
Indigenous peoples’ artwork on $20 notes introduced in 2020, with designs by Daphne Odjig and Maryann Casasanta

The evolving design of banknotes reflects Canada’s history, culture, and values, making them a valuable and interesting aspect of the country’s financial system.

Banknote Illustrations

The illustrations on Canadian banknotes are often inspired by famous works of art.

The illustrations on Canadian banknotes often feature iconic figures and artworks that are deeply rooted in Canada’s history and culture.

Take, for instance, the $10 bill featuring Sir John A. Macdonald, who played a crucial role in shaping Canada’s early years as a nation. His portrait is accompanied by an illustration of the Grand Trunk Railway, which was instrumental in connecting Canada from coast to coast.

Other notable figures on Canadian banknotes include Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who served as Prime Minister from 1896 to 1911, and Emily Carr, a renowned artist known for her depiction of Indigenous cultures and the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty.

Banknote illustrations also draw inspiration from famous works of art. The $20 bill features an image of the Canadian landscape, inspired by the Group of Seven, a collection of artists who sought to capture Canada’s vast wilderness on canvas.

Famous Works of Art Featured on Canadian Banknotes:

The Rocky Mountains, Lake Louise – This image is inspired by the work of Lawren Harris, a prominent member of the Group of Seven. It captures the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies and has become an iconic representation of Canada’s natural splendor.
The Northern Lights – This illustration is based on the artwork of Frederick Varley, another key figure in the Group of Seven. It depicts the awe-inspiring display of the aurora borealis, a spectacle that can be seen in the Canadian wilderness.

The illustrations on Canadian banknotes are not only visually stunning but also serve as a testament to Canada’s rich history and cultural heritage.

* The $50 note features an image inspired by “The Signing of the Constitution Act” painting.

The Bank of Canada, which issues Canadian banknotes, has a unique approach to illustrating its currency. Each denomination features a specific image that reflects an important aspect of Canadian history and culture.

The $50 note, in particular, showcases an image inspired by “The Signing of the Constitution Act,” a painting by Robert Tait McKenzie. This artwork depicts the moment when British North America’s three Maritime provinces signed the British North America Act, which eventually became the Constitution Act of 1867 and established Canada as a self-governing dominion.

McKenzie’s original painting, completed in 1922, is an iconic representation of this pivotal event. It captures the dignity and gravity of the moment when George Coles, William Henry Steeves, and Charles Tupper signed on behalf of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia respectively.

When designing the $50 banknote, the Bank of Canada took inspiration from McKenzie’s painting, incorporating elements that reflect the significance of this historic event. By doing so, they aimed to convey a sense of pride in Canadian history and unity among its people.

The incorporation of this image also underscores the importance of education and awareness about Canadian history. It serves as a reminder to Canadians and visitors alike about the country’s rich heritage and the key milestones that shaped its development.

Furthermore, the use of an illustration rather than a photograph allows for more creative freedom in terms of design. This enables the Bank of Canada to present historical events in a stylized manner that is both visually appealing and engaging.

Overall, the $50 note’s image has become synonymous with Canadian identity and its commitment to preserving and celebrating its heritage through art and history.

This focus on illustration also allows the banknotes to transcend their function as currency and take on a role in promoting cultural awareness. By incorporating an image inspired by “The Signing of the Constitution Act,” the Bank of Canada has ensured that this significant event will be remembered for generations to come, and its impact felt long after the banknote is retired from circulation.

* An illustration of a woman working with wheat, based on “The Wheatfield” painting, is featured on a Series C $10 note.

The Bank of Canada has featured a range of illustrations on its banknotes over the years, reflecting various aspects of Canada’s history and culture. These illustrations have been used to depict significant figures and events that have shaped the country.

One notable example is the Series C $10 note, which features an illustration based on “The Wheatfield” painting. The wheat field scene evokes a sense of fertility and growth, symbolizing Canada’s rich agricultural heritage.

An illustration of a woman working with wheat can be seen as a powerful representation of Canadian women’s contributions to the country’s development. By depicting her in a rural setting, the image suggests that women played a crucial role in the nation’s agricultural history.

The use of this image on the $10 note serves several purposes:

It highlights Canada’s rich cultural heritage and its people’s relationship with the land;
It recognizes the contributions of Canadian women to the country’s development; and
It adds a sense of authenticity and history to the banknote design.

The illustration on the Series C $10 note is not only visually appealing but also serves as a reminder of Canada’s rich cultural heritage and its people’s connection with the land. The image has become an integral part of Canadian currency, making it a unique and meaningful addition to the country’s monetary system.

Author
Recent Posts

itzadmin

Search

Who’s On Canadian Money?