On November 15, 2006 an upgraded Canadian $5 bill went into circulation. It should take a few weeks to spread across the country. The $5 bill is the last in the Canadian Journey series of bank notes to get improved security features to make it harder to counterfeit.
Security Features of Canadian $5 Bill
The new security features on the $5 bill include:- a metallic holographic stripe
- a watermark portrait
- a windowed colour-shifting thread woven into the paper
- a see-through number
To make it last longer, the upgraded $5 bill is printed on heavier paper and coated with a varnish. The life of a Canadian $5 bill is about one to two years.
Design of Canadian $5 Bill
The design, colour and illustrations on the upgraded $5 bill are the same as on the earlier version of the $5 bill in the Canadian Journey series. The front of the blue $5 bill features a portrait of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the first French-Canadian prime minister who held office from 1896 to 1911. On the back of the bill are images of children playing in winter.
Canadian Journey Series of Canadian Bank Notes
The Canadian Journey series of Canadian bank notes celebrates Canada's history, culture, and achievements. The series was first introduced in 2001 with the $10 bill. The new $5 bill was introduced in 2002, and was followed by the $100 bill, the $20 bill and the $50 bill in 2004. In May 2005, the Bank of Canada also issued an upgraded $10 bill with additional security features.
