From the archives of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library:
From 1900 to around 1911, people across Canada may have been carrying around in their wallet a little piece of Sault Ste. Marie . . . in the form paper money.
While it may seem like an unusual amount today, the Dominion of Canada issued $4 bills beginning in the late 1880s; their popularity was largely sparked by the exchange rate at the time, and the ease of converting $4 Canadian into one British Pound.
And, of course, the $4 bill was just one of the many monetary denominations that are no longer being printed, including 25 cent, one dollar, and two dollar bills.
The original $4 bills pictured the Marquess of Lorne, the fourth Governor General of Canada. In 1900, the design of the bill changed to feature portraits of Lord Minto, the eighth Governor General, and his wife. During that revamp, the bill also began to highlight Canadian scenery – or at least, that was the intent.
In between the portraits of Lord and Lady Minto, an illustration showed a ship making its way through the Sault Ste. Marie locks. The image would highlight the locks as part of an important shipping route – and, since the locks had only just been completed in 1895, it was also an example of impressive, new infrastructure in the Dominion of Canada.
There was just one problem: whoever designed the bill did not check that they had the country correct. The $4 Canadian bill mistakenly featured the locks in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan.
As the Globe and Mail wrote in a retrospective column about the gaffe, “Somebody’s face must have been very red at Ottawa.”
When the mistake was noticed, the issue was recalled. In 1902, the government began to issue new $4 bills – this time with a depiction of the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario locks as a ship passed through.
In 1904, $4 bills ceased being issued, but they continued to circulate for several years after that; however, by 1947, according to a Globe and Mail article, they would rarely show up in circulation anymore.
Today, the bills are a collector’s item. And, while you are unlikely to open up your wallet and see Sault Ste. Marie on your paper money anymore, copies of the bill remain – in private collections and in places like the British Museum and the Bank of Canada Museum.
Each week, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library and its Archives provides SooToday readers with a glimpse of the city’s past.
Find out more of what the Public Library has to offer at www.ssmpl.ca and look for more Remember This? columns here
FAQs
There was just one problem: whoever designed the bill did not check that they had the country correct. The $4 Canadian bill mistakenly featured the locks in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. As the Globe and Mail wrote in a retrospective column about the gaffe, “Somebody's face must have been very red at Ottawa.”
How rare is a $4 bill? ›
A: No, $4 bills are not in current circulation and are considered more of a collector's item. Find more smart-money tips and guidance at the Greenlight Learning Center, empowering financially savvy families.
Did Canada ever have a $4.00 bill? ›
Government of Canada
In 1870, the first Dominion of Canada notes were issued in denominations of 25¢, $1, $2, $500 and $1,000. $50 and $100 notes followed in 1872. The bulk of later government note production was of $1 and $2 notes, with a $4 denomination added in 1882. Notes of $5 were issued starting in 1912.
What is hidden on a dollar bill? ›
At the base of the pyramid on the back of every dollar bill are the Roman numerals MDCCLXXVI. That is the symbol for 1776, which is the date of the Declaration of Independence.
Who put Viola Desmond on the $10 bill? ›
Viola Desmond was selected by the Minister of Finance to be featured on Canada's next regularly circulating $10 bank note. The selection was drawn from a short list of five iconic Canadians who, together, illustrate the diverse and important contributions women have made in shaping Canada's history.
What $2 bill is worth $20,000? ›
Serial numbers
The serial number is the big one. It's printed on the left and right sides of the front of the bill, typically with a letter at the front. “What we look at is fancy serial numbers,” Johnston said. “A serial number '1' for a 1976 $2 bill would be worth $20,000 or more.
What is the rarest dollar bill in the US? ›
5 Most Valuable American Bills You Could Find in Your Wallet
- The 1861 $1,000 Bill. The $1,000 bill holds the record for being the largest denomination ever printed for public consumption. ...
- The 1928 $500 Bill. ...
- The 1950 $100 Bill. ...
- The 1862 $50 Bill. ...
- The 1933-34 $10 Bill.
While a $3 bill doesn't officially exist in U.S. currency, novelty versions have been created for amusem*nt. These often feature personalities that aren't on standard currency, like President Barack Obama or even fictional characters.
Is there a $6 dollar bill? ›
American paper currency comes in seven denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The United States no longer issues bills in larger denominations, such as $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills.
Is there a five dollar bill? ›
The $5 note features a portrait of President Lincoln on the front of the note and a vignette of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the note.
If you are referring to the letter K surrounded by a decorative circular pattern on the left side of the obverse (portrait) face of a bill, in the position where the B is located (red square) here: The letter K in that position indicates that the bill originated at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, TX. (
What is the spider on the dollar bill? ›
Some say it's an owl, others see a spider because of the web design behind the "1." Some say it's part of a skull and crossbones when turned sideways. Most likely the creature was placed as an anti-counterfeit measure.
Why did they put In God We Trust on money? ›
Originally used on coins during the Civil War and later adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956, the meaning of "In God We Trust" denotes that the political and economic prosperity of the nation is in God's hands. This idea has been met with controversy over the decades.
Who is the black lady on the $10 bill? ›
Viola Desmond on the $10 note is a history lesson — but not everyone is learning - National | Globalnews.ca.
What did Viola Desmond do for a living? ›
Viola Irene Desmond (née Davis), businesswoman, civil rights activist (born 6 July 1914 in Halifax, NS; died 7 February 1965 in New York, NY). Viola Desmond built a career and business as a beautician and was a mentor to young Black women in Nova Scotia through her Desmond School of Beauty Culture.
Who was the black woman on the Canadian bill? ›
Courage and Dignity. Viola Desmond was a successful black businesswoman who was jailed, convicted and fined for defiantly refusing to leave a whites-only area of a movie theatre in 1946. Her court case was an inspiration for the pursuit of racial equality across Canada.
Are $2 dollar bills rare? ›
However, $2 bills are considered rare in comparison to our other currency and have even been known to be worth thousands of dollars. There are a number of factors that can make your $2 worth more than $2. First, there are one of two Founding Fathers that may appear on it: Alexander Hamilton or Thomas Jefferson.
What is the rarest $5 bill? ›
1861 $5 Demand Notes
An 1861 $5 Demand Note produced by the American Bank Note Company using a patented steel plate process sold for $38,400, making it one of the most valuable $5 bills ever. The front of the note has an image of statue representing freedom as well as a portrait of Alexander Hamilton.
Which $2 bill is worth $4 500? ›
If your $2 bill dates back to 1886 and has a red seal with a silver certificate, you're in luck. That bill is worth $4,500. A number of other iterations of the $2 bills with a red seal can also fetch well over a $1,000. Bills with brown seals are also very valuable.
Is a $1,000 dollar bill rare? ›
In fact, a $1000 bill can be purchased between $2000 and $6000 dollars on the market, depending on its condition and grading. However, since these bills are so rare, it is vital to buy from reputable dealers to avoid scams or counterfeits.
