Currency of the Province of Canada (1850-1866)


This page shows examples of each major note which was issued for use between 1850 and 1866 in the pre-confederation Province of Canada.
It does NOT cover minor varieties.
All of the currency designs displayed here were printed for circulation as legal tender.

NOTES:
1. Click on any photo to load a much larger version of the same photo.

2. You will find the Charlton Catalogue number listed at the top of the text box beside each set of images.
This web page makes references to various Charlton Numbers. The copyrights to these Numbering Systems are the property of CHARLTON INTERNATIONAL INC and have been used here with their written consent.

3. Because it is illegal to copy a photo of any banknote for the purposes of counterfeiting, the ability to 'right-click' and save these images has been disabled.



1848-1850 Provincial Debenture Notes

The government of the Province of Canada had to raise money in 1848 to meet the financial burden caused by the previous administration. Instead of securing loans from financial institutions it was decided to issue notes of debenture which guaranteed a return of 6 percent in interest. They were successful enough to pave the way for government issued currency in the near future.


1848-1850 1 Dollar Provincial Debenture
PC-1aP

1 Dollar
(5 Shillings)

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Seated allegorical woman with farm implements, a highway and train in the background.
Back - Unknown

An example of an actual issued note could not be found, but this photo of a "Face Proof" shows you what the face of the note looked like.


1848-1850 2 Dollar Provincial Debenture
PC-1bP

2 Dollars
(10 Shillings)



VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Two seated allegorical women with cornucopia and spear.
Back - Unknown

An example of an actual issued note or "face proof" could not be found.


1848-1850 5 Dollar Provincial Debenture
PC-1cP

5 Dollars
(1.5 British Pounds)



VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Two seated allegorical women with three cherubs surrounding a very large numeral 5.
Back - Unknown

An example of an actual issued note could not be found, but this photo of a "Face Proof" shows you what the face of the note looked like.


1848-1850 10 Dollar Provincial Debenture
PC-1dP

10 Dollars
(2.10 British Pounds)



VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Seated Brittania to the Left of the coat of arms of the Province of Canada.
Back - Unknown

An example of an actual issued note could not be found, but this photo of a "Face Proof" shows you what the face of the note looked like.


1848-1850 20 Dollar Provincial Debenture
PC-1eP

20 Dollars
(5.0 British Pounds)



VIGNETTES:
Front Center - The Royal Crest.
Back - Unknown

An example of an actual issued note could not be found, but this photo of a "Face Proof" shows you what the face of the note looked like.


1866 Province of Canada Notes

These notes were issued in January of 1867. Despite the fact that the "Province of Canada" was replaced by the Dominion of Canada a few months later, these notes were issued for several years before being completely re-designed.
These notes could only be redeemed in gold at the Receiver General's offices in specific cities (similar to the Provincial Debentures).

All denominations above two dollars were issued for financual institution use only. Because the vast majority of these notes were eventually redeemed and destroyed, very few examples still exist.

1866 1 Dollar Note (Montreal)
PC-2a

1 Dollar
(Montreal)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Samuel de Champlain
Front Center - Coat of arms of Canada flanked by a sailor and a farmer
Front Right - Jacques Cartier
Back - None

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Montreal, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

1866 1 Dollar Note (Toronto)
PC-2b

1 Dollar
(Toronto)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Samuel de Champlain
Front Center - Coat of arms of Canada flanked by a sailor and a farmer
Front Right - Jacques Cartier
Back - None

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Toronto.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Toronto, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

1866 1 Dollar Note (Toronto/St. John)
PC-2c

1 Dollar
(Toronto/St. John)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Samuel de Champlain
Front Center - Coat of arms of Canada flanked by a sailor and a farmer
Front Right - Jacques Cartier
Back - None

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of St. John New Brunswick.
Some of the Harington signed notes printed for use in Toronto were altered by adding a counterstamp that read "ST. JOHN" to the face, then shipped to St. John New Brunswick.
After the notes were received in St. John, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.


1866 2 Dollar Note (Montreal)
PC-3a

2 Dollar
(Montreal)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Indian girl.
Front Center - Seated Britannia with two allegorical women and two boys, train and bridge in the background.
Front Right - Sailor holding a flag with a lion in the background.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Montreal, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

1866 2 Dollar Note (Toronto)
PC-3b

2 Dollar
(Toronto)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Indian girl.
Front Center - Seated Britannia with two allegorical women and two boys, train and bridge in the background.
Front Right - Sailor holding a flag with a lion in the background.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Toronto.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Toronto, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

1866 2 Dollar Note (Toronto/St. John)
PC-3c

2 Dollar
(Toronto/St. John)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Indian girl.
Front Center - Seated Britannia with two allegorical women and two boys, train and bridge in the background.
Front Right - Sailor holding a flag with a lion in the background.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of St. John New Brunswick.
Some of the Harington signed notes printed for use in Toronto were altered by adding a counterstamp that read "ST. JOHN" to the face, then shipped to St. John New Brunswick.
After the notes were received in St. John, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.


1866 5 Dollar Note (Montreal)
PC-4a

5 Dollar
(Montreal)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Queen Victoria.
Front Center - Coat of arms of the Province of Canada, lion to the Left and a seated indian princess to the right.
Front Right - ship under sail
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Montreal, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

1866 5 Dollar Note (Toronto)
PC-4b

5 Dollar
(Toronto)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Queen Victoria.
Front Center - Coat of arms of the Province of Canada, lion to the Left and a seated indian princess to the right.
Front Right - ship under sail
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Toronto.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Toronto, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

NOTE - Images are courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum's National Currency Collection.

1866 5 Dollar Note (Toronto/St. John)
PC-4c

5 Dollar
(Toronto/St. John)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Queen Victoria.
Front Center - Coat of arms of the Province of Canada, lion to the Left and a seated indian princess to the right.
Front Right - ship under sail
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of St. John New Brunswick.
Some of the Harington signed notes printed for use in Toronto were altered by adding a counterstamp that read "ST. JOHN" to the face, then shipped to St. John New Brunswick.
After the notes were received in St. John, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

1866 5 Dollar Note (Halifax)
PC-4d

5 Dollar
(Halifax)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Queen Victoria (Winterhalter portrait).
Front Center - Coat of arms of the Province of Canada, lion to the Left and a seated indian princess to the right.
Front Right - ship under sail
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Halifax.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Halifax, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.


1866 10 Dollar Note (Montreal)
PC-5a

10 Dollar
(Montreal)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Columbus with sailors.
Front Center - Anchor and ships, lion, sheaf of wheat and train.
Front Right - Two beavers.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Montreal, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

NOTE - Images are courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum's National Currency Collection.

1866 10 Dollar Note (Toronto)
PC-5b

10 Dollar
(Toronto)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Columbus with sailors.
Front Center - Anchor and ships, lion, sheaf of wheat and train.
Front Right - Two beavers.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Toronto, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

1866 10 Dollar Note (Toronto/St. John)
PC-5c

10 Dollar
(Toronto/St. John)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Columbus with sailors.
Front Center - Anchor and ships, lion, sheaf of wheat and train.
Front Right - Two beavers.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of St. John New Brunswick.
Some of the Harington signed notes printed for use in Toronto were altered by adding a counterstamp that read "ST. JOHN" to the face, then shipped to St. John New Brunswick.
After the notes were received in St. John, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.


1866 20 Dollar Note (Montreal)
PC-6a

20 Dollar
(Montreal)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Princess Alexandra, Princess of Wales.
Front Center - Four beavers building a dam.
Front Right - Prince Albert, Prince of Wales.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Montreal, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

NOTE - Images are courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum's National Currency Collection.

1866 20 Dollar Note (Toronto)
PC-6b

20 Dollar
(Toronto)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Princess Alexandra, Princess of Wales.
Front Center - Four beavers building a dam.
Front Right - Prince Albert, Prince of Wales.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Toronto, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

1866 20 Dollar Note (Toronto/St. John)
PC-6c

20 Dollar
(Toronto/St. John)

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - Princess Alexandra, Princess of Wales.
Front Center - Four beavers building a dam.
Front Right - Prince Albert, Prince of Wales.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of St. John New Brunswick.
Some of the Harington signed notes printed for use in Toronto were altered by adding a counterstamp that read "ST. JOHN" to the face, then shipped to St. John New Brunswick.
After the notes were received in St. John, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.


1866 50 Dollar Note (Montreal)
PC-7a

50 Dollar
(Montreal)

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Mercury holding a map of British North America, a harbour, ships and train in the background.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Montreal, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

NOTE - Images are courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum's National Currency Collection.

1866 50 Dollar Note (Toronto)
PC-7b

50 Dollar
(Toronto

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Mercury holding a map of British North America, a harbour, ships and train in the background.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Toronto, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.

Images of actual issued notes could not be found, but the images shown are of Proof prints of the note.

NOTE - Images are courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum's National Currency Collection.

1866 50 Dollar Note (Toronto/St. John)
PC-7c

50 Dollar
(Toronto/St. John)

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Mercury holding a map of British North America, a harbour, ships and train in the background.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of St. John New Brunswick.
Some of the Harington signed notes printed for use in Toronto were altered by adding a counterstamp that read "ST. JOHN" to the face, then shipped to St. John New Brunswick.
After the notes were received in St. John, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.


1866 100 Dollar Note (Montreal)
PC-8a

100 Dollar
(Montreal)

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Queen Victoria (Chalon portrait).
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Montreal, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent..

Images of actual issued notes could not be found, but the image shown is of a Proof print of the back.

NOTE - Images are courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum's National Currency Collection.

1866 100 Dollar Note (Toronto)
PC-8b

100 Dollar
(Toronto)

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Queen Victoria (Chalon portrait).
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Toronto, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.


1866 500 Dollar Note (Montreal)
PC-9a

500 Dollar
(Montreal)

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Allegorical woman with coat of arms of the Province of Canada, a lion, sheaf of wheat, cornucopia, bridge and Parliament Building in the background.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Montreal, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent..

Images of actual issued notes could not be found, but the image shown is of a Proof print of the back.

NOTE - Images are courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum's National Currency Collection.

1866 500 Dollar Note (Toronto)
PC-9b

500 Dollar
(Toronto)

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Allegorical woman with coat of arms of the Province of Canada, a lion, sheaf of wheat, cornucopia, bridge and Parliament Building in the background.
Back - None.

This note could only be exchanged for gold at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Receiver General (T.D. Harington) on the right side of the face.
After the notes were received in Toronto, each note was hand counter-signed by a designated agent.


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