With a design that is a faithful reproduction of the
allegory that appeared on the inaugural $50 bank
note of 1935 and a limited mintage of just 2,000 coins
worldwide, this historic tribute is a must-have! The coin design is of a seated woman with elements of radio broadcasting
to symbolize modern inventions.
Theme:
Less than 100 years ago, “Canadian” paper money existed in a variety of
forms; notes that were issued by pre-Confederation (provincial) governments,
chartered banks and private banks. In fact, over a period of 175 years, more
than 100 such banks existed, each issuing its own denominations, including
$3, $5, $6, $7 and $8 notes.
This all changed when the Bank of Canada arrived on the economic scene in
1935. The Bank was established through an act of Parliament to regulate the
country’s money supply and to “promote the economic and financial welfare
of Canada”—responsibilities that gave it the exclusive right to issue Canada’s
bank notes while the notes from chartered banks were gradually removed
from circulation.
The Bank of Canada’s inaugural notes were introduced on March 11, 1935 and
included denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000
with a $25 note issued later that year to commemorate the silver jubilee of
King George V.
The designs featured a member of the royal family or former Canadian prime
minister on the front with an allegorical figure representing a different aspect
of Canadian industry or culture on the back. Each denomination was originally
available in English or French until bilingual notes were introduced in 1937.
