What is special about the notes of the 1954 series?

With the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953, the Bank of Canada decided to issue a series of bank notes bearing the portrait of the new Queen. These notes were designed in 1952–53 and issued in 1954.

Although the colour and bilingual presentation of the 1937 series were retained, these new bank notes were very different. The portrait was moved from the centre of the note to the right side, where it was less susceptible to wear caused by folding. The elaborate detail of earlier issues was simplified, and their allegorical figures were replaced by Canadian landscapes. The Canadian coat of arms was first introduced in this series and formed part of the background design. This is the only series on which the portrait of the monarch appears on all denominations.

This series was the cause of much controversy because highlighted areas of the Queen’s hair gave the illusion of a grinning demon behind the ear. As a result, the term "devil’s head" is commonly used to describe these bank notes. In 1956, the Bank of Canada modified the printing plates to increase the number of notes per sheet from 24 to 32. The Bank took this opportunity to ask the two printers to alter the face plates by darkening the highlights in the hair. These new plates were used for all subsequent denominations in the series.