posted 06-20-2011 08:16 PM               

Bank of Canada's $5 note: Canadarm2, Dextre

The Bank of Canada unveiled a new polymer bank note series today at its head office in Ottawa. Information on the polymer material and advanced new security features was released, along with the images and designs of the soon-to-be-issued $100 and $50 bank notes, and the themes for the remaining notes in the series.

Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty and RCMP Commissioner William J. S. Elliott joined Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney for the unveiling ceremony.

Minister Flaherty spoke of the importance of cash as a means of payment in the daily lives of Canadians, adding this is why it is important Canadians see their story reflected in the designs. "These bank notes evoke the country's spirit of innovation, and their designs celebrate Canada's achievements at home, around the world and in space," he said. "Bank notes are cultural touchstones that reflect and celebrate our Canadian experience."

The notes will contain a number of unique features that expand the frontiers of bank note security and will make them difficult to counterfeit but easy to check. Most prominent are two transparent areas: the larger area extends from the top to the bottom of the note and contains complex holographic features; the other is in the shape of a maple leaf.

Starting with the $20 note in 2012, the remaining bank notes in the polymer series will be issued by the end of 2013. The themes of the other denominations will be...

$5 - Canadarm2 and Dextre -- symbolize Canada's continuing contribution to the international space program through robotics innovation. (Portrait: Sir Wilfrid Laurier)

The specific designs and detailed images of these notes will not be released until their official unveiling dates.

posted 04-30-2013 02:50 PM               

Canada launches new space robot-themed $5 bill with astronaut in orbit

The Bank of Canada had appropriate help Tuesday (April 30) launching its new space-themed $5 bill – the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station (ISS).

"Let me show you an example of how we can reach new heights of innovation," Canadian Space Agency astronaut and Expedition 35 commander Chris Hadfield said, while revealing the astronaut- and robot-arm-adorned bank note from on board the orbiting complex.

Hadfield held up the new blue-color note and let it float in front of him during a live broadcast from the space station.