1 dollar 1954 "devil's face"

Common. Despite its collector appeal and the 'Devil's Face' nickname, this Pick-66 note remains common in the numismatic market. eBay sales data shows consistent trading in the $7–$49 range depending on condition, with UNC examples reaching approximately $39–$150 (per 2016 catalog values), indicating healthy supply. The large print runs of the 1954 series and the subsequent continued circulation of these notes before replacement series were issued support a common classification.

This 1954 note was issued during the early years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, following her accession to the throne in 1952, and represents the Bank of Canada's contemporary currency during the post-World War II economic recovery period. The reverse design depicting a Western Prairie landscape with utility poles and agricultural fields reflects Canada's significant agricultural sector and national identity during the 1950s. The note's eventual replacement by modified versions (P-74 and P-75) with altered portrait details underscores the Bank of Canada's response to public perception, making this original 'Devil's Face' variant a transitional piece in Canadian numismatic history.

The obverse features a right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II positioned on the right side, rendered in black ink on a green underprint with the subject wearing formal draped attire and a pearl earring. The center of the note displays the Canadian coat of arms or heraldic shield design surrounded by ornamental geometric patterns characteristic of security printing. The reverse depicts a Western Prairie landscape scene with utility or telegraph poles extending toward the horizon, rows of agricultural fields suggesting plowed or cultivated land, and a dramatic cumulus cloud formation dominating the sky, all rendered in fine intaglio line work. The bilateral text in English and French frames the entire design, reflecting Canada's officially bilingual character.

FRONT: 'ONE DOLLAR' (English) / 'UN DOLLAR' (French); 'BANK OF CANADA' (English) / 'BANQUE DU CANADA' (French); 'WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND' (English) / 'PAYERA AU PORTEUR SUR DEMANDE' (French); 'OTTAWA'; '1954'; 'GOVERNOR' (English) / 'GOUVERNEUR' (French); 'DEPUTY GOVERNOR' (English) / 'SOUS-GOUVERNEUR' (French); 'Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited'. BACK: 'ONE DOLLAR' (English) / 'UN DOLLAR' (French); 'BANK OF CANADA' (English) / 'BANQUE DU CANADA' (French).

Intaglio engraving (taille-douce), with fine line engraving patterns throughout for security purposes. The note was produced by Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited (CBNC), a leading security printer. The print exhibits characteristic high-quality intaglio detail visible in both the portrait rendering and landscape vignette, with intricate geometric borders and security line patterns designed to prevent counterfeiting.

This note exhibits the characteristic 'Devil's Face' variety, identifiable by the visual artifact visible in Queen Elizabeth II's hairdo on the obverse, which became a recognizable feature of 1954 Canadian one dollar notes. The serial number format (A0000043) with letter prefix is consistent with the 1954 issuance. This variety was eventually superseded by modified portrait versions (Bank of Canada P-74 and P-75) featuring an altered hairdo, making the original 'Devil's Face' variant historically significant within the Canadian dollar note series, though not scarce in absolute terms.