CANADIAN BANKNOTE UPDATE · SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
Bank of Canada Museum adds a practical banknote security lesson
The new lesson turns banknote security features into a repeatable inspection routine. For collectors, its strongest message is simple: identify the series first, then compare the note with the correct official reference.
The Bank of Canada Museum published “It pays to check” on September 18. The lesson introduces legal tender, explains why banknotes need recognizable security features, and uses current Canadian notes to practise a four-step check: feel, look, tilt and flip. It also compares security technology across older paper issues, the Frontiers polymer series and the newer Vertical series.
That sequence is useful to collectors, but it is not a shortcut to authentication. A feature expected on a Frontiers note may not belong on a 1954 or Birds of Canada issue. Before making a comparison, record the denomination, date or series, material, dimensions and visible design elements. Use the Bank of Canada or Museum reference for that exact series, and examine both sides under neutral light. Do not clean, press or alter a note to make a feature easier to see.
The Museum also gives practical guidance for suspected counterfeits: stay calm, avoid accusing the person presenting the note, and refer the matter to police. Collectors should similarly stop when evidence is uncertain. Photographs and online references can support screening, but they cannot guarantee authenticity, grade or value.
For a broader inspection sequence, read our coin and banknote screening guide. If you would like to arrange an in-person discussion in Toronto, contact CBG COIN before visiting.