Canada’s $2 and $10 Bills
The two-dollar bill and ten-dollar bill have a rich history in Canada, with their origins dating back to the early 1900s.
The two-dollar bill, also known as the “Deuce,” was first introduced in Canada in 1914. The bill featured a portrait of King George V on the front and an allegorical figure representing Agriculture on the back. At the time, the two-dollar bill was a common denomination, with many other countries also using the same value.
Over the years, the design of the two-dollar bill changed, with new portraits of monarchs and allegorical figures appearing on the front and back. However, the bill remained a staple of Canadian currency for many decades.
In 1971, the Canadian government introduced a new set of banknotes, including a new two-dollar bill. This bill featured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the front and a depiction of a polar bear on the back. The polar bear, which is a symbol of Canada’s north, was a popular choice for the design of the bill.
However, despite the popularity of the two-dollar bill, it began to fall out of favor with Canadians. Many people found the bill to be inconvenient, as it was often seen as too small of a denomination to be useful. In addition, the bill was often mistaken for a one-dollar bill, leading to confusion and frustration.
As a result, the Canadian government decided to discontinue the two-dollar bill in 1996, replacing it with a two-dollar coin, also known as the “Toonie.” The Toonie quickly became popular with Canadians, with many people appreciating its distinctive design and practicality.
The ten-dollar bill, on the other hand, has a more complex history in Canada. The first ten-dollar bill was introduced in 1935, featuring a portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald on the front and an allegorical figure representing Harvest on the back. Over the years, the design of the ten-dollar bill changed, with new portraits and allegorical figures appearing on the front and back.
In 2001, the Canadian government introduced a new ten-dollar bill, featuring a portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Wilfrid Laurier on the front and an allegorical figure representing Canada’s Arctic on the back. This bill was widely circulated and remained in use for many years.
However, in 2018, the Canadian government announced that they would be introducing a new ten-dollar bill featuring Viola Desmond, a prominent Black civil rights activist. This bill was designed to commemorate Desmond’s legacy and to celebrate Canada’s diverse history.
The new ten-dollar bill entered circulation in late 2018, with the old bill being gradually phased out. Today, the new ten-dollar bill featuring Viola Desmond is a popular and well-loved denomination in Canada.
In conclusion, the two-dollar and ten-dollar bills have a long and storied history in Canada, with their designs and popularity evolving over time. While the two-dollar bill has been replaced with the Toonie, the ten-dollar bill continues to be an important part of Canadian currency, reflecting the country’s diverse history and values.
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