50 Dollars CAN Banknote (1935 Issue) 1935

50 Dollars Canadian Dollar (Issued 1935)

Among the earliest notes ever produced by the Bank of Canada, the 1935 series fifty-dollar note stands as one of the most consequential pieces of Canadian monetary history, representing the very first unified national currency issued following the Bank of Canada’s establishment in 1934. A currency expert examining this note would immediately recognise the combination of classical allegorical engraving on the reverse with a royal portrait on the front, a pairing that anchors the note firmly to the imperial monetary tradition of the British Commonwealth. The note was printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited, as confirmed by the imprint visible along the lower margin, lending it a distinguished pedigree in the history of security printing. Its withdrawn status and age make it a document of genuine historical weight for anyone seeking to understand the origins of Canada’s central banking system.

On the front, the dominant feature is an oval portrait of King George VI positioned to the left of centre, rendered in fine intaglio engraving that captures his military uniform in considerable detail, including medals and decorations across his chest. The portrait is set within an oval frame surrounded by intricate geometric lathe-work and guilloché patterning that fills much of the note’s face in dark green and grey tones. The central area of the note carries a large numeral “50” formed within an elaborate rosette of interlocking fine-line engraving, with the denomination repeated in smaller numerals flanking both sides of the design. At the top, the text reads “OTTAWA.” followed by “ISSUE OF 1935” and beneath that the prominent legend “THE BANK OF CANADA” in bold serif capitals, with the further inscription “WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND” running across the note below the bank name. The serial number A14972 appears twice across the note, flanking a central letter “B” prefix designation. At the lower portion of the face, a decorative ribbon-style banner carries the text “FIFTY DOLLARS” in bold capitals. Two facsimile signatures appear in cursive script below the central design, attributed to the Deputy Governor and the Governor respectively. The lower margin carries the printer’s imprint “CANADIAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, LIMITED.” in small capitals. A small maple leaf device and a circular seal are visible to the right of the central vignette, and vertical text reading “FIFTY” runs along both side margins.

The reverse is printed in a warm sepia-brown tone throughout and features a large central allegorical vignette of a seated female figure, classically robed in draped fabric, holding what appears to be a staff or sceptre in one hand and resting beside a decorated shield or seat. The figure is rendered in highly detailed intaglio engraving, with cloud-like shading filling the background behind her. “BANK OF CANADA” arches across the top of the reverse in bold serif lettering, with the numeral “50” appearing in each of the four corners and at intervals along both side borders. Ornate corner pieces featuring engraved scrollwork and small floral or leaf motifs frame the composition. A decorative border of fine geometric line engraving runs the full perimeter of the note, and the denomination “FIFTY DOLLARS” appears in a bold banner across the lower portion of the reverse. The printer’s imprint “CANADIAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, LIMITED.” is again present along the very bottom margin.

This 1935 issue fifty-dollar Canadian banknote can be exchanged through Webuyallcurrency.com, where old or withdrawn Canadian Dollars banknotes are bought alongside other foreign currency — ideal for clearing a drawer of mixed coins and notes at once.

• Indicate the quantity of 50 Dollars Canadian Dollar banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Turn forgotten Canadian Dollars banknotes into money: Webuyallcurrency.com lets you exchange foreign coins and notes — even withdrawn ones — as part of one clear transaction, no specialist knowledge required.