Table of Contents:

- 1900 Issue Introduction

- 1900 25 Cent "Shinplaster" Notes
- 1900 4 Dollar Notes
- 1902 4 Dollar Notes

- 1911 Issue Introduction
- 1911 1 Dollar Notes
- 1911 500 Dollar Notes
- 1911 1000 Dollar Notes
- 1912 5 Dollar Notes
- 1914 2 Dollar Notes
- 1917 1 Dollar Notes

1900-1902 Dominion of Canada Notes

In 1900 the American Banknote Company was instructed by the Canadian government to add 25 cent and 4 dollar notes to their production.

1900 25 Cent Shinplaster Note (Courtney)

DC-15a

25 Cent
Courtney

VIGNETTES:
Front Right - Britannia seated with shield and trident, sailing ship in background.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.M. Courtney) on the lower left side of the face.
There is no counter-signature on 25 cent notes.

The only differences between these varieties is the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance.

Note that none of the 1900 25 cent notes used sheet numbers or Series letters.

1900 25 Cent Shinplaster Note (Boville)

DC-15b

25 Cent
Boville

VIGNETTES:
Front Right - Britannia seated with shield and trident, sailing ship in background.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower left side of the face.
There is no counter-signature on 25 cent notes.

The only differences between these varieties is the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance.

Note that none of the 1900 25 cent notes used sheet numbers or Series letters.

1900 25 Cent Shinplaster Note (Saunders)

DC-15c

25 Cent
Saunders

VIGNETTES:
Front Right - Britannia seated with shield and trident, sailing ship in background.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.
There is no counter-signature on 25 cent notes.

The only differences between these varieties is the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance.

Note that none of the 1900 25 cent notes used sheet numbers or Series letters.

1900 4 Dollar Note

DC-16

4 Dollar
Courtney

VIGNETTES:
Front Right - Lady Minto.
Front Center - Sault Ste. Marie locks (US side).
Front Right - Lord Minto.
Back - Parliament Buildings and Library as seen from Nepean Point.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.M. Courtney) on the right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

These notes were printed in sheets of four, with the same sheet number printed on each note. The Check letter is located at each end of the "DOMINION OF CANADA" curved text in the upper centre of the face.

All of the notes produced of this variety bear the Series Letter "A" located above and to either side of the "DOMINION OF CANADA" curved text in the upper centre of the face:



The face of this note features an image of the Sault Ste. Marie Locks which connect Lake Superior to Lake Huron.
Unfortunately the image chosen and approved shows the American side of the locks. This design error was corrected with the 1902 re-design, as shown below:

1902 4 Dollar Note (4s at top)

DC-17a

4 Dollar
Courtney

VIGNETTES:
Front Right - Lady Minto.
Front Center - Sault Ste. Marie locks (Canadian side).
Front Right - Lord Minto.
Back - Parliament Buildings and Library as seen from Nepean Point.

This series of notes corrects a design error found on the 1900 issue. This re-design shows the Canadian side of the Sault Ste. Marie Locks instead of the American side.

Similar to the 1900 4 dollar note, the top left and right corners of the face of each note read "4", while the bottom left and right corners read "FOUR".

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.M. Courtney) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

These notes were printed in sheets of four, with the same sheet number printed on each note.

The Check letter is located at each end of the "DOMINION OF CANADA" curved text in the upper centre of the face. All of the notes produced of this variety bear the Series Letter "A" located above and to either side of the "DOMINION OF CANADA" curved text in the upper centre of the face:

1902 4 Dollar Note (FOURs at top)

DC-17b

4 Dollar
Boville

VIGNETTES:
Front Right - Lady Minto.
Front Center - Sault Ste. Marie locks (Canadian side).
Front Right - Lord Minto.
Back - Parliament Buildings and Library as seen from Nepean Point.

This note underwent a slight design change when T.C. Boville took over the post of Deputy Minister of Finance - The top left and right corners of the face of each note read "FOUR", while the bottom left and right corners read "4".

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

These notes were printed in sheets of four, with the same sheet number printed on each note.

The Check letter is located at each end of the "DOMINION OF CANADA" curved text in the upper centre of the face. All of the notes produced of this variety bear the Series Letter "A" located above and to either side of the "DOMINION OF CANADA" curved text in the upper centre of the face:

1911-1914 Dominion of Canada Notes

These notes were printed in sheets of four or eight, with the same sheet number printed on each note in the column. In the case of sheets of 8 notes, the second column received the next sheet number in the sequence as shown below:

1911 1 Dollar Note

DC-18a

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Lord Grey, Lady Grey.
Back - Parliament Buildings, view from front gate to the Centre block.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

In this variety the border above the signature panel consists of a thin green line:

For this variety the Series Letters (A, B or C) and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1911 1 Dollar Note

DC-18b

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Lord Grey, Lady Grey.
Back - Parliament Buildings, view from front gate to the Centre block.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

In this variety the border above the signature panel consists of a thin green line:

For this variety the Series Letters (D, E, F or G) and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1911 1 Dollar Note

DC-18c

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Lord Grey, Lady Grey.
Back - Parliament Buildings, view from front gate to the Centre block.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

In this variety the border above the signature panel consists of a thin green line:

For this variety the Series Letters (H, J, K or L) and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1911 1 Dollar Note

DC-18d

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Lord Grey, Lady Grey.
Back - Parliament Buildings, view from front gate to the Centre block.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

In this variety the border above the signature panel consists of a thick black line:

For this variety the Series Letters (L, M, N, P, R, S or T) and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1911 1 Dollar Note

DC-18d-i

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Lord Grey, Lady Grey.
Back - Parliament Buildings, view from front gate to the Centre block.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

In this variety the border above the signature panel consists of a thick black line:

IMPORTANT NOTE: The only difference between this variety and the DC-18d variety shown above is the addition of a hyphen between the sheet number and the series letter. For this variety the Series Letters (U, V, W, X or Y) and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1911 500 Dollar Note

DC-19

500 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Her Majesty Queen Mary.
Back - None.

These notes were not printed with any signatures, but were hand signed by the Deputy Minister of Finance and counter-signed by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

There were no Check Letters used because the notes were cut and numbered separately.

Only one series was produced, marked with Series Letter A:

1911 1000 Dollar Note

DC-20

1000 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - His Majesty King George V.
Back - None.

These notes were not printed with any signatures, but were hand signed by the Deputy Minister of Finance and counter-signed by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

There were no Check Letters used because the notes were cut and numbered separately.

Only one series was produced, marked with Series Letter A:

1912 5 Dollar Note

DC-21a

5 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Passenger train Ocean Limited travelling through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

In this variety the "5" on the right side of the face has no blue "Department of Finance" seal over-printed:

For this variety the Series Letter A and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1912 5 Dollar Note

DC-21b

5 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Passenger train Ocean Limited travelling through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

In this variety the "5" on the right side of the face has no blue "Department of Finance" seal over-printed:

For this variety the Series Letter B and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1912 5 Dollar Note

DC-21c

5 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Passenger train Ocean Limited travelling through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

In this variety the "5" on the right side of the face has no blue "Department of Finance" seal over-printed:

For this variety the Series Letter B and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1912 5 Dollar Note

DC-21d

5 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Passenger train Ocean Limited travelling through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of G.W. Hyndman below the word "COUNTERSIGNED" on the lower left side of the face (They were NOT hand counter-signed) and the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.

In this variety there is a blue "Department of Finance" seal over-printed on the "5" on the right side of the face:

For this variety the Series Letter B and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

The only difference between DC-21d and DC-21e are the signatures.

1912 5 Dollar Note

DC-21e

5 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Passenger train Ocean Limited travelling through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of G.W. Hyndman below the word "COUNTERSIGNED" on the lower left side of the face (They were NOT hand counter-signed) and the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.

In this variety there is a blue "Department of Finance" seal over-printed on the "5" on the right side of the face:

For this variety the Series Letter B and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:


The only difference between DC-21d and DC-21e are the signatures.

1912 5 Dollar Note

DC-21f

5 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Passenger train Ocean Limited travelling through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of G.W. Hyndman on the lower left side of the face (They were NOT hand counter-signed) and the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.

In this variety there is a blue "Department of Finance" seal only on the right side of the face:

and in this version, in addition to the word "COUNTERSIGNED" above the signature of G.W. Hyndman, the words "COMPTROLLER OF CURRENCY" were added below his name:

For this variety the Series Letter B and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1912 5 Dollar Note

DC-21g

5 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Passenger train Ocean Limited travelling through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of G.W. Hyndman above the title "COMPTROLLER OF CURRENCY" on the lower left side of the face (They were NOT hand counter-signed) and the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.

In this variety there is a blue "Department of Finance" seal only on the right side of the face:

and the area above Hyndman's signature on the left side of the note no longer reads "COUNTERSIGNED"

For this variety the Series Letter C and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1912 5 Dollar Note

DC-21h

5 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - Passenger train Ocean Limited travelling through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia.
Back - None.

These notes were printed with the signature of S.P. McCavour above the title "COMPTROLLER OF CURRENCY" on the lower left side of the face (They were NOT hand counter-signed) and the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.

In this variety there is a blue "Department of Finance" seal only on the right side of the face:

For this variety the Series Letter C and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

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

1914 2 Dollar Note

DC-22a

2 Dollar
Curved, no seal, no hyphen

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - HRH The Duke of Connaught.
Front Right - HRH The Duchess of Connaught.
Back - The Royal Coat of Arms surrounded by the shields of the nine provinces and a bough of maple leaves.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

There are two areas which are different among each variety of this note:
- The "WILL PAY..." text above the center 2 on the face, and
- The "presence or absence of the seal of the Department of Finance on "TWO" which is located to the left of the Duchess of Connaught's vignette.

With this version the "WILL PAY..." text is curved:
and there is no seal printed over or in place of the "TWO" to the left of the Duchess of Connaught's vignette:

For this variety the Series Letter A, B or C and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1914 2 Dollar Note

DC-22a-i

2 Dollar
Curved, no seal, hyphen

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - HRH The Duke of Connaught.
Front Right - HRH The Duchess of Connaught.
Back - The Royal Coat of Arms surrounded by the shields of the nine provinces and a bough of maple leaves.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

With this version the "WILL PAY..." text is curved:
and there is no seal printed over or in place of the "TWO" to the left of the Duchess of Connaught's vignette:

NOTE: The only difference between this variety and the DC-22a variety are the Series letters and the presence of a hyphen between the sheet numbers and the series letters.

For this variety the Series Letter D, E, F, G, H, J or K and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1914 2 Dollar Note

DC-22b

2 Dollar
Straight, no seal

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - HRH The Duke of Connaught.
Front Right - HRH The Duchess of Connaught.
Back - The Royal Coat of Arms surrounded by the shields of the nine provinces and a bough of maple leaves.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

With this version the "WILL PAY..." text is straight:
and there is no seal printed over or in place of the "TWO" to the left of the Duchess of Connaught's vignette:

For this variety the Series Letter K or L and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1914 2 Dollar Note

DC-22c

2 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - HRH The Duke of Connaught.
Front Right - HRH The Duchess of Connaught.
Back - The Royal Coat of Arms surrounded by the shields of the nine provinces and a bough of maple leaves.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

With this version the "WILL PAY..." text is straight:
and there is no seal printed over or in place of the "TWO" to the left of the Duchess of Connaught's vignette:

For this variety the Series Letter L, M, N or P and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1914 2 Dollar Note

DC-22d

2 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - HRH The Duke of Connaught.
Front Right - HRH The Duchess of Connaught.
Back - The Royal Coat of Arms surrounded by the shields of the nine provinces and a bough of maple leaves.

These notes were printed with the signature of G.W. Hyndman below the word "COUNTERSIGNED" on the lower left side of the face (They were NOT hand counter-signed) and the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.

With this version the "WILL PAY..." text is straight:
and the Department of Finance seal is printed over the "TWO" to the left of the Duchess of Connaught's vignette. You can just see two blobs of ink above the seal, and if you look closely (click on the detail photo) you can see the green ink from the "TWO" mixed in with the black ink of the seal:

For this variety the Series Letter P or R and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1914 2 Dollar Note

DC-22e

2 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Left - HRH The Duke of Connaught.
Front Right - HRH The Duchess of Connaught.
Back - The Royal Coat of Arms surrounded by the shields of the nine provinces and a bough of maple leaves.

These notes were printed with the signature of G.W. Hyndman below the word "COUNTERSIGNED" on the lower left side of the face (They were NOT hand counter-signed) and the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.

With this version the "WILL PAY..." text is straight:
and the Department of Finance seal is printed instead of the "TWO" to the left of the Duchess of Connaught's vignette:

For this variety the Series Letter R or S and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1917 1 Dollar Note

DC-23a

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - HRH The Princess Patricia.
Back - The Parliament Building, view from inside the front gate.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

With this variety there is no seal over or instead of the "ONE" to the right of Princess Patricia's vignette:

There is no "American Bank Note Company, Ottawa." imprint at the bottom centre of the front and back.
The Series Letter A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H (added to the end of the sheet number) and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1917 1 Dollar Note

DC-23a-i

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - HRH The Princess Patricia.
Back - The Parliament Building, view from inside the front gate.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

With this variety there is no seal over or instead of the "ONE" to the right of Princess Patricia's vignette:

The "American Bank Note Company, Ottawa." imprint has been added at the bottom centre of the front and back.
The Series Letter H or J (added to the end of the sheet number) and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1917 1 Dollar Note

DC-23a-ii

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - HRH The Princess Patricia.
Back - The Parliament Building, view from inside the front gate.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (T.C. Boville) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

With this variety there is no seal over or instead of the "ONE" to the right of Princess Patricia's vignette:

The "American Bank Note Company, Ottawa." imprint has been added at the bottom centre of the front and back.
The Series Letter K, L, M, N, P or R (added to the beginning of the sheet number) and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1917 1 Dollar Note

DC-23b

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - HRH The Princess Patricia.
Back - The Parliament Building, view from inside the front gate.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

With this variety there is no seal over or instead of the "ONE" to the right of Princess Patricia's vignette:

The "American Bank Note Company, Ottawa." imprint has been added at the bottom centre of the front and back.
The Series Letter R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, or Z (added to the beginning of the sheet number) and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1917 1 Dollar Note

DC-23b-i

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - HRH The Princess Patricia.
Back - The Parliament Building, view from inside the front gate.

These notes were printed with the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.
Each note was hand counter-signed on the lower left side of the face by a designated agent of the Department of Finance prior to issue.

With this variety there is no seal over or instead of the "ONE" to the right of Princess Patricia's vignette:

The "American Bank Note Company, Ottawa." imprint has been added at the bottom centre of the front and back.
The Series Letter A (added to the beginning of the sheet number) AND the letter A added to the end of the sheet number (to denote a restart of the series lettering sequence), and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1917 1 Dollar Note

DC-23c

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - HRH The Princess Patricia.
Back - The Parliament Building, view from inside the front gate.

These notes were printed with the signature of G.W. Hyndman below the word "COUNTERSIGNED" on the lower left side of the face (They were NOT hand counter-signed) and the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.

With this variety the seal IS printed over the "ONE" to the right of Princess Patricia's vignette:

The "American Bank Note Company, Ottawa." imprint has been added at the bottom centre of the front and back.
The Series Letter A, B, C, D, E or F (added to the beginning of the sheet number) AND the letter A added to the end of the sheet number (to denote a restart of the series lettering sequence), and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below:

1917 1 Dollar Note

DC-23d

1 Dollar

VIGNETTES:
Front Center - HRH The Princess Patricia.
Back - The Parliament Building, view from inside the front gate.

These notes were printed with the signature of G.W. Hyndman below the word "COUNTERSIGNED" on the lower left side of the face (They were NOT hand counter-signed) and the signature of the Deputy Minister of Finance (J.C. Saunders) on the lower right side of the face.

With this variety the seal is printed INSTEAD OF the "ONE" to the right of Princess Patricia's vignette:

The "American Bank Note Company, Ottawa." imprint has been added at the bottom centre of the front and back.
The Series Letter F, G, H or J (added to the beginning of the sheet number) AND the letter A added to the end of the sheet number (to denote a restart of the series lettering sequence), and Check Letters (A, B, C or D) can be found as shown below: