{"id":77986,"date":"2026-09-03T18:50:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T18:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/2026\/09\/03\/bank-of-canadas-new-20-bill-features-new-security-features-and-canadian-indigenous-motifs\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T18:50:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T18:50:14","slug":"bank-of-canadas-new-20-bill-features-new-security-features-and-canadian-indigenous-motifs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/2026\/09\/03\/bank-of-canadas-new-20-bill-features-new-security-features-and-canadian-indigenous-motifs\/","title":{"rendered":"Bank of Canada&#039;s new $20 bill features new security features and Canadian, Indigenous motifs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> \n<br \/><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bank of Canada would cut rates if not for Iran war\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dcDYKAfsXJA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p> The Bank of Canada unveiled its new vertical $20 bill on Thursday, featuring security measures and a design that highlights Canadian sovereignty and Indigenous cultures . <\/p>\n<p> This is the second note in the central bank\u2019s vertical series and incorporates security technologies that have never been used before on a Canadian banknote. <\/p>\n<p> Central bank employees have been designing the bill for the past three years, which included consultations with stakeholder groups, experts and Indigenous community members. <\/p>\n<p> \u201cWe at the bank are immensely proud of our new $20 banknote,\u201d Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said at an event to unveil the note on Thursday afternoon. \u201cWe plan to start circulating the new vertical $20 banknote early next year.\u201d <\/p>\n<p> Here\u2019s a sneak peak of the bill before you get your hands on it next February. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\" New $20 bill featuring King Charles III, in Ottawa September 3, 2026.\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" data-license-id=\"4143882\" data-portal-copyright=\"Blair Gable\/Postmedia\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0904-mg-new-20-5.jpg\" title=\" New $20 bill featuring King Charles III, in Ottawa September 3, 2026.\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>A fresh new face<\/h2>\n<p> King Charles III will be the new face of the bill, the first paper currency to feature him , replacing the late Queen Elizabeth II and continuing a longstanding tradition of featuring the reigning monarch on Canadian banknotes. <\/p>\n<p> The reigning monarch has been featured on Canadian bills since 1935, starting with King George V, Charles\u2019 paternal great-grandfather. <\/p>\n<p> Charles ascended to the throne on Nov. 8, 2022, after his mother, who reigned for 70 years, died at the age of 96. <\/p>\n<p> The Bank of Canada was instructed to feature the new reigning monarch by former prime minister Justin Trudeau\u2019s government in its next redesign process, and staff began that work after Charles\u2019 coronation on May 6, 2023. <\/p>\n<p> Charles\u2019 portrait on the new bill was taken for the Bank of Canada by British photographer Andrew Parsons, and it was then converted into line work by a master engraver to turn the banknote into a complex work of art to prevent counterfeits . <\/p>\n<p> The process is still done by hand digitally on a computer screen using a special pen and special program, and the engraver will include little details into the portrait. <\/p>\n<p> \u201cRecognized both here and around the world, our currency not only reflects the strength of our economy but also embodies the collective trust we have in our democratic institutions and our future,\u201d Governor General Louise Arbour, who attended Thursday\u2019s event on Charles\u2019 behalf, said. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\" Canada\u2019s Governor General Louise Arbour takes part in an event unveiling of the new $20 bill featuring King Charles III, in Ottawa September 3, 2026.\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" data-license-id=\"4143883\" data-portal-copyright=\"Blair Gable\/Postmedia\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0904-mg-new-20-4.jpg\" title=\" Canada\u2019s Governor General Louise Arbour takes part in an event unveiling of the new $20 bill featuring King Charles III, in Ottawa September 3, 2026.\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Commemorating the First World War<\/h2>\n<p> The back of the new $20 note features the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, which was unveiled in 1926 as a tribute to all Canadians who served during the First World War. <\/p>\n<p> The Battle of Vimy Ridge is widely regarded as the symbolic turning point when Canada forged a distinct national identity, after Canadian soldiers fought to capture the ridge after British and French forces previously failed to. <\/p>\n<p> Around 3,600 Canadians died at Vimy Ridge and many more were seriously wounded. More than 11,000 Canadians were also killed on French soil during the war, many with no known grave. <\/p>\n<p> \u201cThe Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a symbol of sacrifice. The soaring pillars and solemn sculptures honour those who gave their lives to protect freedom, peace and democracy,\u201d Macklem said. \u201cIt is also a symbol of Canadian sovereignty on the world stage.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\" Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem takes part in an event unveiling of the new $20 bill featuring King Charles III, in Ottawa September 3, 2026.\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" data-license-id=\"4143884\" data-portal-copyright=\"Blair Gable\/Postmedia\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0904-mg-new-20-3.jpg\" title=\" Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem takes part in an event unveiling of the new $20 bill featuring King Charles III, in Ottawa September 3, 2026.\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>A unified Canadian identity<\/h2>\n<p> The new $20 bill also features natural elements because it\u2019s a green note and represents Charles\u2019 passion for gardening, environmentalism and conservation. <\/p>\n<p> Each province and territory is represented on the bill by their floral emblems to the left of Charles\u2019 portrait, such as the trillium for Ontario, the prairie crocus for Manitoba and the mountain aven for the Northwest Territories. Each flower is labelled in microscopic letters. <\/p>\n<p> The maple leaf is also heavily featured on the bill, as well as the red poppy. <\/p>\n<p> The Bank of Canada worked with an Indigenous advisory circle throughout the design process, and the bill includes four different plants to represent their people. <\/p>\n<p> The bottom of the note features braided sweetgrass, one of the four sacred plants, and western redcedar, often called the \u201cTree of Life\u201d in many Indigenous cultures. There\u2019s also Arctic cotton, which has been used by Inuit people for lamps and lights and wild strawberries, which symbolize warmth. <\/p>\n<p> Bank of Canada officials said the designs try to incorporate different stories to reflect Canada, Canadians and the unity of this country. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\" Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, Governor General Louise Arbour, and Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)Wayne Long take part in an event unveiling of the new $20 bill featuring King Charles III, in Ottawa September 3, 2026.\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" data-license-id=\"4143885\" data-portal-copyright=\"Blair Gable\/Postmedia\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0904-mg-new-20-2.jpg\" title=\" Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, Governor General Louise Arbour, and Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)Wayne Long take part in an event unveiling of the new $20 bill featuring King Charles III, in Ottawa September 3, 2026.\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Historic new security features<\/h2>\n<p> The Bank of Canada unveiled new security features to make the bill harder to counterfeit, while also keeping the artistry and design. <\/p>\n<p> The $20 banknote features a new purple security stripe, a first for Canada and the first of its size. It features a three-dimensional \u201cmagnifying glass\u201d that magnifies the number 20. In the background, the number 20 also turns into a maple leaf when you tilt the bill. <\/p>\n<p> The maple leaf and poppy on the purple stripe feature new holographs that pulsate in different directions. <\/p>\n<p> The note has tactile security features on the word \u201cCanada\u201d, the large number 20 on the top and bottom and Charles\u2019 portrait. Officials said the tactile features were designed to help retailers quickly identify whether a banknote is genuine. <\/p>\n<ul class=\"related_links\">\n<li>The loonie is rallying. Here&#8217;s why top currency watchers don&#8217;t think it will last<\/li>\n<li>What is the Trump $250 bill and why is it so controversial?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> But there are other new security features on the new bill as well. <\/p>\n<p> \u201cBanknote security is critical for Canadian consumers and businesses and for the integrity of our currency system. With this new note, the Bank of Canada continues its relentless fight against counterfeiting, because counterfeiters are always on the job,\u201d Macklem said. <\/p>\n<p> \u201cCanadians use the $20 banknote more than any other denomination, and we want them to use it with confidence and pride.\u201d <\/p>\n<p> <em>\u2022 Email: ptran@postmedia.com <\/em> <\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"U.S. economy is losing momentum: Rosenberg\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wjJda5wywOI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<br \/>\n<br \/>Bank of Canada&#039;s new $20 bill features new security features and Canadian, Indigenous motifs<\/a><br \/>\n<br \/>2026-09-03 18:50:14<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Bank of Canada unveiled its new vertical $20 bill on Thursday, featuring security measures and a design that highlights Canadian sovereignty and Indigenous cultures . This is the second&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":77987,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-economy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77986"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77986\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/77987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}