1 dollar 1954
Market Prices
28 salesAbout This Note
This is a Canadian 1 Dollar banknote from 1954, Pick P-74b, in uncirculated condition. The note features a modified portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse with her characteristic refined hairstyle (notably without the 'Devil's Face' variety), paired with a striking Western Prairie landscape on the reverse rendered in fine line engraving. The crisp printing, clean margins, and complete absence of wear confirm its pristine state, making this an excellent example of Canada's post-war currency design.
Common. This note circulated widely and remains readily available in the modern collector market. Recent eBay auction data confirms typical market prices for UNC examples in the $5-$12 range, with even PMG-graded higher specimens (66-67) selling in the $35-$85 range—consistent with common 1950s Canadian currency. The note was produced in substantial quantities and no significant print run limitations, recall events, or rarity factors are associated with this Pick number.
This 1954 issue represents the Bank of Canada's transition to a modified portrait design of Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting both the maturation of her reign and Canadian artistic preferences of the early Cold War era. The reverse imagery—depicting organized agricultural fields, utility poles, and dramatic prairie skies—symbolizes Canada's post-war agricultural prosperity and rural development, capturing the nation's identity during a period of economic growth and modernization in the 1950s.
The obverse presents a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in profile facing left, rendered in detailed black and white engraving against a green and gray underprint. She wears formal attire with a pearl necklace, representing the dignity of the British monarchy. The central design features a heraldic coat of arms with crown and ornate shield work, flanked by bilingual text in the characteristic Bank of Canada format. The reverse showcases a Western Prairie landscape depicting organized agricultural fields with utility poles extending toward the horizon beneath dramatic cloudy skies, executed in fine line engraving with meticulous cross-hatching. This design reflects Canada's agricultural heritage and rural identity during the post-war economic period.
Front (Obverse): 'CANADA' / 'ONE DOLLAR' / 'UN DOLLAR' / 'BANK OF CANADA' / 'BANQUE DU CANADA' / 'WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND' / 'PAIERA AU PORTEUR SUR DEMANDE' / 'OTTAWA' / 'DEPUTY GOVERNOR' / 'SOUS-GOUVERNEUR' / 'GOVERNOR' / 'GOUVERNEUR' / '1954' / Serial number 'A/4800618' / 'Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited' / 'ONE' / 'UN'. Back (Reverse): 'ONE DOLLAR' / 'UN DOLLAR' / 'BANK OF CANADA' / 'BANQUE DU CANADA'.
Intaglio (engraved line printing) executed by Canadian Bank Note Company. The security features include fine line engraving throughout both sides, elaborate ornamental patterns and geometric designs serving as anti-counterfeiting measures, and a red-colored serial number printed separately. The quality of the engraving and the precision of the color registration are characteristic of the security printing standards employed by CBNC during this era.
This is Pick P-74b, the modified 'Bearded Queen' variety (1954-1961-1972) with corrected hair design, as distinguished from Pick P-66 which exhibits the controversial 'Devil's Face' variety in the Queen's hair. The observed serial number prefix 'A' is consistent with the standard serial numbering of this issue. No overprints or additional distinguishing marks are noted on this example.
