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5 Dollars, Dominion of Canada, Canada, 1912 (Pick 31)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1912

Issuing entity

Canada

This 5 Dollars note was issued in Canada by Dominion of Canada, dated 1912. It belongs to the Dollar (1858-date) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: George V (1910-1936). and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 31.

Obverse: Centre vignette depicts the "Ocean Limited" passenger train passing through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia. Serial numbers are printed in red at left and right, with series letter below. Its lettering reads “5 FIVE / OTTAWA, MAY 1ˢᵗ. 1912. / 5 THE DOMINION OF CANADA / WILL PAY TO THE BEARER / FIVE / FIVE DOLLARS / COUNTERSIGNED / FIVE / FOR MINISTER OF FINANCE”. Reverse: Guilloches with large "V" at centre. Its lettering reads “DOMINION OF CANADA / 5 V 5 / FIVE DOLLARS / AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY LIMITED”.

The note was printed by American Banknote Corporation (American Bank Note Company), United States (1795-date). Signatures recorded for the type: T. C. Boville (TCB) (Deputy Minister of Finance); George W. Hyndman (GWH) (Comptroller of Currency); John C. Saunders (JCS) (Deputy Minister of Finance); S. P. McCavour (SPM) (Comptroller of Currency). Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

There are three variants of this note: P#31a, b & c: No seal on obverse, P#31d & e: Obverse seal over guilloche, P#31f & g: Obverse seal without guilloche. The Department of Finance seal of the second and third types features an escutcheon from the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada which was formally modelled in 1921. Hence, these notes are known to have been produced no earlier than that year.

Physical characteristics

Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper

Technical characteristics

Printer
American Banknote Corporation (American Bank Note Company), United States (1795-date)
Currency
Dollar (1858-date)
Signatures
T. C. Boville (TCB) (Deputy Minister of Finance) · George W. Hyndman (GWH) (Comptroller of Currency) · John C. Saunders (JCS) (Deputy Minister of Finance) · S. P. McCavour (SPM) (Comptroller of Currency)
Issuing bank
Dominion of Canada

Design

Obverse
Centre vignette depicts the "Ocean Limited" passenger train passing through the Wentworth Valley in Nova Scotia. Serial numbers are printed in red at left and right, with series letter below.
Reverse
Guilloches with large "V" at centre
Obverse lettering
5 FIVE / OTTAWA, MAY 1ˢᵗ. 1912. / 5 THE DOMINION OF CANADA / WILL PAY TO THE BEARER / FIVE / FIVE DOLLARS / COUNTERSIGNED / FIVE / FOR MINISTER OF FINANCE
Reverse lettering
DOMINION OF CANADA / 5 V 5 / FIVE DOLLARS / AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY LIMITED

Identification

Value
5 Dollars
Dates recorded
1912
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 31

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P31
  • NumistaN# 346090

Research required

  • Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.
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