1 dollar 1937
Market Prices
47 salesAbout This Note
This is a striking example of the 1937 Canadian $1 note featuring King George VI in formal military dress, issued on January 2, 1937, by the Bank of Canada. The note displays exceptional uncirculated condition with crisp, sharp engraving throughout and no visible wear, handling, or imperfections. The bilingual design (English/French) and classical allegorical reverse depicting Britannia make this an important early example of post-Confederation Canadian currency design.
Common. This is a regular issue of the 1937 $1 denomination with substantial print runs. eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $5–$30 range across multiple conditions (F, VF, VG) over more than a decade, with UNC specimens cataloged at $150 in 2016. The volume and frequency of market transactions confirm widespread availability. Even in uncirculated condition, this note represents an accessible early Canadian banknote rather than a scarce or rare issue.
This 1937 issue commemorates the accession of King George VI following the abdication crisis of 1936, making it historically significant as the first Canadian banknote to feature the new monarch. The allegorical female figure (Britannia) on the reverse represents classical British imperial tradition and sovereignty, while the bilingual presentation reflects Canada's emerging national identity as a distinct dominion within the Commonwealth during the interwar period.
The obverse features a formal portrait of King George VI in military dress uniform with medals, decorations, and ceremonial insignia, centered within an ornate oval frame surrounded by elaborate scrollwork and classical geometric corner medallions. The reverse presents an allegorical representation of Britannia, the classical female personification of British sovereignty, seated in a classical pose holding a trident, draped in flowing robes, positioned before architectural elements and landscape vegetation. Both sides employ intricate bilateral symmetry with bilingual text (English left, French right) and are bordered by elaborate decorative frames featuring fine floral and geometric patterns characteristic of high-security currency design of the era.
FRONT: 'BANK OF CANADA / BANQUE DU CANADA' (Bank of Canada bilingual); 'WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND / PAYERA AU PORTEUR SUR DEMANDE' (Legal tender promise); 'ONE DOLLAR / UN DOLLAR' (Denomination); 'OTTAWA, 2ND JAN 1937 / OTTAWA, LE 2 JAN 1937' (Issue date); 'GOVERNOR / GOUVERNEUR' and 'DEPUTY GOVERNOR / SOUS-GOUVERNEUR' (Signing authority titles); 'CANADIAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, LIMITED' (Printer attribution). BACK: 'BANK OF CANADA / BANQUE DU CANADA'; 'ONE DOLLAR / UN DOLLAR'; 'CANADIAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, LIMITED' (Printer attribution).
Intaglio/engraved steel plate printing, executed by the Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited, Ottawa. The note exhibits the characteristic fine line engraving, intricate geometric patterns, complex scrollwork, and microprint detail work typical of high-security currency production. The sharp, clean impression and crisp detail throughout indicate professional press work on quality banknote stock.
This specimen exhibits the characteristics of the 1937 regular issue (Pick 58d) with wide 11mm signature panels as noted in catalog references. Serial number prefixes A–O and M are documented. The visible serial numbers in this example (A7130465 / M7130465) place it within the known range of early production. The January 2, 1937 date and bilingual design are standard for this issue. No special overprints, missing security features, or error characteristics are evident.
