100 Dollars CAN Banknote (1937 Issue) 1937

100 Dollars Canadian Dollar (Issued 1937)

The allegorical figures depicted on the reverse of the 1937 Canadian one-hundred-dollar note reflect the Bank of Canada’s ambition to project confidence and national purpose during a period of post-Depression economic reconstruction. Issued in the very year that Canada’s central bank consolidated its status as the sole issuer of domestic currency, this high-denomination note was designed to inspire trust in institutions and the promise of industrial progress. Printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited, the note carries bilingual text throughout, reflecting the dual English and French character of the Canadian federation. The 1937 series represented a significant modernisation of Canadian paper currency, introducing refined engraving work and a more cohesive visual identity across all denominations.

On the front, the central focus is a finely engraved oval portrait of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Prime Minister of Canada and the first French-Canadian to hold that office, rendered in intricate intaglio line work against a lightly shaded background. The portrait is set within an ornate oval frame with delicate guilloché border work, and Laurier is shown in a dark coat, facing slightly to the viewer’s right, with a composed and distinguished expression. The dominant colour of the front face is a warm golden-brown, overlaid with rich dark brown engraving throughout the border regions and denomination panels. To the upper left and right of the portrait, the bold numeral “100” appears in large dark type, flanked by repeating micro-numeral rows reading “100” in continuous lines across the upper register. The issuing institution is identified in large, prominently engraved lettering reading “BANK OF CANADA” to the left and “BANQUE DU CANADA” to the right, emphasising the bilingual mandate of the institution. Beneath this, a promise text reads “WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND” in English on the left and “PAIERA AU PORTEUR SUR DEMANDE” in French on the right. The denomination is stated in a bold central band as “ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS” in English and “CENT DOLLARS” in French. The serial number B/D 1123870 appears in red numerals twice — once to the left and once to the right of the portrait — providing a strong visual contrast against the golden ground. Two facsimile signatures appear below the central denomination band: to the left, that of D. Gordon, Deputy Governor, and to the right, G. F. Towers, Governor, both printed in dark ink with their respective titles beneath. The date Ottawa, 2nd January 1937 appears within the signature panel, confirming the issue date. At the very foot of the note, in small typeface, the printer’s credit reads “CANADIAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, LIMITED.” The outer border is filled with dense geometric and guilloché patterning in dark brown and olive tones, and the words “ONE HUNDRED” appear vertically along the left edge and “CENT” along the right edge in the margin panels.

The reverse is printed in a rich golden-olive tone and presents a striking allegorical composition at its centre, depicting two classical figures — a muscular adult male and a younger figure, possibly representing industry and knowledge or labour and enlightenment — engaged in shared study or examination over what appears to be a large open ledger or book resting on a classical pedestal or altar. Both figures are rendered in the academic allegorical tradition, with draped and semi-draped clothing, and the scene is set against a softly engraved industrial landscape featuring what appears to be factory buildings and smoke in the distant background, suggesting Canadian industrial capacity. The engraving of the figures is highly detailed, with careful attention to musculature and drapery folds, executed in a style consistent with bank note engraving conventions of the 1930s. On either side of the central vignette, the numeral “100” appears in very large, bold open typeface, framed within panels of dense guilloché lacework and geometric border patterns. At the top of the reverse, the bilingual text “BANK OF CANADA” appears to the left and “BANQUE DU CANADA” to the right, separated by a decorative central ornament. Along the lower margin, the denomination is restated as “ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS” to the left and “CENT DOLLARS” to the right, with a small decorative letter “C” at the centre of this lower band. The printer’s name “CANADIAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, LIMITED.” appears in small text at the very foot of the reverse. The overall tonal quality of the reverse printing is warm and consistent, with the guilloché work providing a fine security background throughout.

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