1954 Modified Series Specimen Notes
The third issue of the Bank of Canada, and the second to have a bilingual format, was prepared following the untimely death in 1952 of King George VI and released in 1954. The new notes were slightly narrower than the 1937 series notes which they replaced. The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, appearing on the faces of all denominations from $1 to $1,000, was placed at the right-hand side where it would be less susceptible to wear caused by folding than the previous centrally placed portrait.
The new series features Canadian landscapes on the back of the notes instead of the allegorical figures from the 1935 and 1937 series. The notes shown on this page are of the Modified designs. Initially in 1954, the portrait of the Queen was said to have a "Devil's Face" in the hair. The portraits were modified in 1956 to remove this illusion. For more information on "Devil's Face" notes, please see the appropriate exhibit in the Sets section of this website.
The reverse of the $1 note features a view of the western praries. These lands are amazingly flat and open
Approximately 1.9 billion modified 1954 $1 notes were printed before the 1973 issue was released. |
© Bank of Canada - used with permission
© Bank of Canada - used with permission |
© Bank of Canada - used with permission
© Bank of Canada - used with permission |
The $2 note has a landscape scene from Upper Melbourne in Richmond, Quebec.
Almost 900 million $2 notes were printed during the 20 years of its life. |
The beautiful blue 1954 $5 note features the well-known Otter Falls at mile 996 on the Alaska Highway.
Slighly more than 620 million $5 notes were printed during 1954-1972. |
© Bank of Canada - used with permission
© Bank of Canada - used with permission |
© Bank of Canada - used with permission
© Bank of Canada - used with permission |
Mount Burgess in British Columbia graces the reverse of the 1954 $10 note.
Nearly 600 million purple 1954 $10 notes were printed before 1971. |
The olive-coloured 1954 $20 note has a view of the Laurentian mountains during the winter on its reverse.
Just more than 275 million $20 notes of this issue were printed. |
© Bank of Canada - used with permission
© Bank of Canada - used with permission |
© Bank of Canada - used with permission
© Bank of Canada - used with permission |
The reverse of the 1954 $50 note showed a stunning picture of a beach and breakers from Lockeport, Nova Scotia in bright orange.
Almost 20 million $50 notes were printed before the red-coloured issue of 1975 was released. |
Okanagan Lake in British Columbia is the subject of the back of the $100 note.
About 21 million $100 notes were released for circulation before their retirement in 1975. |
© Bank of Canada - used with permission
© Bank of Canada - used with permission |
Contributor: gus5pin
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