A 1954 note, worth $20, is worth between $300-$400 if found in mint and uncirculated condition. Notes that have been circulated are worth significantly less, about $30.
The 1954 note is from the third series of Bank of Canada bank notes. It was prepared in 1952 and there were significant changes in design which set a standard for the future.
The change occurred due to the change of monarch in the UK in 1952. All notes had to bear the face of the Commonwealth’s new monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The plates prepared for the notes that include the 1952 $20 note are very different to any previous set of notes.
The portrait was moved, and instead of being placed on the centre was now on the left hand side; this was done so there would be less wear and tear caused by folding notes. Canadian figures were also replaced by landscapes, therefore reducing the complexity of the note.
This was the first series of notes where the Canadian coat of arms was introduced and formed a background design. Notably this is the only series of notes where Queen Elizabeth II appears on all notes in the group.
Because of the simplification of the notes in 1954 a new and more complex set of notes were created in 1969.
The series caused controversy as the Queen's hair and her grin were considered to look demonic. The term ‘Devils Head’ is commonly used as a description for bank notes from the 1954 era. The bank of Canada subsequently darkened the notes to remove any mention of this. This happened in 1956 for all notes of the 1954 series.
All bills of the 1954 series are the same size, they measure 152.4 × 69.85 mm.
The 1954 note is from the third series of Bank of Canada bank notes. It was prepared in 1952 and there were significant changes in design which set a standard for the future.
The change occurred due to the change of monarch in the UK in 1952. All notes had to bear the face of the Commonwealth’s new monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The plates prepared for the notes that include the 1952 $20 note are very different to any previous set of notes.
The portrait was moved, and instead of being placed on the centre was now on the left hand side; this was done so there would be less wear and tear caused by folding notes. Canadian figures were also replaced by landscapes, therefore reducing the complexity of the note.
This was the first series of notes where the Canadian coat of arms was introduced and formed a background design. Notably this is the only series of notes where Queen Elizabeth II appears on all notes in the group.
Because of the simplification of the notes in 1954 a new and more complex set of notes were created in 1969.
The series caused controversy as the Queen's hair and her grin were considered to look demonic. The term ‘Devils Head’ is commonly used as a description for bank notes from the 1954 era. The bank of Canada subsequently darkened the notes to remove any mention of this. This happened in 1956 for all notes of the 1954 series.
All bills of the 1954 series are the same size, they measure 152.4 × 69.85 mm.
