Canada has marked Queen Elizabeth II’s record breaking reign with a special commemorative $20 banknote and stamp.
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada (right), and Richard Wall, the Bank of Canada?s Chief of Currency (left), pose with the commemorative $20 bank note honouring the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II. (CNW Group/Bank of Canada)
An official ceremony was held on Wednesday at Rideau Hall in Ottawa to reveal the $20 note.
The commemorative bank note is very similar to the already existing $20 polymer banknote that features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The only difference in the new $20 note has a large window containing a variety of unique design elements, including a portrait of the sovereign wearing a tiara that is a first for a Canadian bank note.
The image comes from the picture taken in 1951 by renowned Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh. The same photograph was used for the Queen’s portrait, minus the crown, for the 1954 Canadian Landscape bank notes and the 1967 commemorative note in celebration of Confederation.
Queen Elizabeth has appeared on every series of Canadian bank notes since she ascended the throne in 1952.
Together, the Governor General of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Jonhston and the Bank of Canada’s Chief of Currency, Richard Wall unveiled the note, with Wall saying:
“This is a unique milestone in the history of the monarchy in our country, and the Bank of Canada is honoured to mark the occasion in this special way. Over Her Majesty’s reign, the technology behind our bank notes has continually evolved – to the state-of-the-art polymer notes we have today. It is, therefore, fitting that we are commemorating this historic occasion by using one of the most advanced security features of our current notes – the large holographic window,”
The new stamp issued by Canada Post in honour of Queen Elizabeth II
Canada Post also issued a stamp for the historic occasion. Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post said:
“Our stamps not only depict past history, often they celebrate history in the making. This is just such an event – and we are proud to have the opportunity to honour Her Majesty as well as her remarkable record of service to Canada and all Canadians,”
Designed by Entro’s Doreen Colonello and Gerald Querubin from a photograph taken of Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 at the Canada Day celebration on Parliament Hill. Her Majesty is dressed in Canada’s national colours, red and white. The Queen is also wearing the diamond maple leaf brooch given to her by her mother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, as part of the 1939 Royal Tour of Canada.
Photo Credit: Bank of Canada via Flickr, The Street
Where can we get the commemorative bank note?There was no information with the news article.
I want one too, and I wish I knew where to get it. One of my hobbies is collecting banknotes from all over the world, and this one definitely belongs in my Commonwealth album.
This is an attractive design, but I prefer the design on the $20 Canadian paper note that was replaced with their first polymer note. It’s absolutely the most beautiful engraving of Her Majesty I’ve ever seen anywhere.
It’s time we got some lovely new stamps like this here in Wales instead of the truly ugly dark-murky-blue daffodil we’ve had to put up with for years now. I hate it and always refuse it when it’s offered to me at the post office. I’d rather put on multiple small denominations and keep my envelopes looking colourful!