Canadian Banknotes
1969-1979, Scenes of Canada
Because of a growing concern over counterfeiting, the Bank of Canada began to release a new series of bank notes in 1969.
This series represented another complete departure in design from earlier issues:
- • colourful, wavy patterns were introduced;
- • a new series of Canadian scenic vignettes was created;
- • portraits of former Canadian prime ministers were re-introduced.
The main characteristic of the new design was the use of multicoloured tints beneath the dominant colour. This series was often dubbed the "multicoloured series". With the exception of the $1 note, the use of black ink was abandoned. Furthermore, the words "this note is legal tender" replaced the phrase "will pay to the bearer on demand," reflecting the fact that Canada's currency had long ceased to be redeemable in gold. The $1,000 denomination was not included in this issue.
Unlike previous series, the 1969-79 series did not have the same date of issue for all denominations, but rather the year in which the printing plate was produced.
Originally, the Queen's portrait was to appear on all denominations. However, the Minister of Finance requested the inclusion of portraits of former Canadian prime ministers on the new bank notes to enhance national identity.
$1 Parliament Hill View from across the Ottawa River
Issue Date: 3 June 1974
Size: 152.4 x 73.025 mm (6.0 x 2.875 inches)
Portrait: Queen Elizabeth II
$2 Inuit hunting scene Baffin Island
Issue Date: 5 August 1975
Size: 152.4 x 73.025 mm (6.0 x 2.875 inches)
Portrait: Queen Elizabeth II
$5 Salmon seiner Johnstone Strait, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
1972
1979
Issue Date: 4 December 1972 (Subsequent issue: 1 October 1979*)
Size: 152.4 x 73.025 mm (6.0 x 2.875 inches)
Portrait: Sir Wilfrid Laurier
$10 Industrial scene Sarnia, Ontario
Issue Date: 8 November 1971
Size: 152.4 x 73.025 mm (6.0 x 2.875 inches)
Portrait: Sir John A. Macdonald
$20 Scene: Lake and Rocky Mountains Moraine Lake, Alberta
1970
1978
Issue Date: 22 June 1970 (Subsequent issue: 18 December 1978**)
Size: 152.4 x 73.025 mm (6.0 x 2.875 inches)
Portrait: Queen Elizabeth II
$50 Dome formation Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride
Issue Date: 31 March 1975
Size: 152.4 x 73.025 mm (6.0 x 2.875 inches)
Portrait: William Lyon Mackenzie King
$100 Lunenburg harbour, Nova Scotia
Issue Date: 31 May 1976
Size: 152.4 x 73.025 mm (6.0 x 2.875 inches)
Portrait: Sir Robert Borden
*This denomination was revised in 1979. The red and blue serial numbers were removed from the face of the bank note and replaced by black serial numbers printed on the lower back of the bank note. The "Bank of Canada - Banque du Canada" inscription was removed from below the back vignette to provide a white background for the numbers.
**This denomination was revised in 1978. The red and blue serial numbers were removed from the face of the bank note and replaced by black serial numbers printed on the lower back of the bank note. The "Bank of Canada - Banque du Canada" inscription was removed from below the back vignette to provide a white background for the numbers.
Source: Bank of Canada