One blog, two curators
Since 1950, the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) has been Canada’s premier association of money collectors. Every year, it holds a convention for collectors, dealers and those with even a mild interest in the hobby to discuss, examine and acquire these fascinating bits of material culture. The 2014 show took place in Mississauga, Ontario.
The sun rises over Mississauga.
Since the convention is held in a different part of the country each year, it offers an ideal opportunity for the Bank of Canada Museum to share a part of the National Currency Collection with Canadians. This year, we decided to tell the story of Canada’s phantom banks and the financial crisis of 1837, which affected both Canada and the United States.
$5 note issued by the phantom bank Banque de Ottawa. For a short time, it had an actual office in Montréal.
Notes from this phantom bank plagued merchants from New York State to Michigan in the winter and spring of 1837.
Phantom banks were scams concocted by dubious American businessmen using notes from fictitious Canadian banks to dupe the American public throughout the border states from Vermont to Ohio. The Bank’s Chief Curator gave the talk and a display was set up in conjunction with Paul's presentation, giving attendees a chance to see real examples of these rare notes. The subject was in keeping with the convention theme of “Hands Across the Border,” which celebrated the co-operation and camaraderie between the RCNA and the American Numismatic Association. Elaborating on the convention’s theme, the RCNA Educational Symposium consisted of presentations that touched on Canadian and American numismatics - a wonderful opportunity for participants from the two countries to share their knowledge in good fellowship.
The Bank of Canada Museum’s mini-exhibition on phantom banks in the exhibit hall
Collectors exhibited a wide variety of material, including bank notes from China and British Columbia; merchant tokens from Orillia, Ontario; and papal medals, to name a few. The Royal Canadian Mint displayed recent products at their booth and a professional engraver was on hand to discuss the manufacturing process. A representative from the Currency Department of the Bank of Canada gave a talk on the security features of Canada’s new polymer notes. For the guests of convention participants, the RCNA hosted tours to Black Creek Pioneer Village and Artcast, a fine art foundry for sculptors.
Antique printing presses at the Black Creek Pioneer Village print shop
Of course, the curators went shopping–but not at the outlet mall. They were able to acquire some very interesting and significant pieces for the National Currency Collection.
We want to hear from you! Do you have an idea for a blog post you’d like to see?
Content type(s):
Blog posts
The Museum Blog
February 11, 2025
Money’s metaphors
Buck, broke, greenback, loonie, toonie, dough, flush, gravy train, born with a silver spoon in your mouth… No matter how common the expression for money, many of us haven’t the faintest idea where these terms come from.
Content type(s):
Blog posts
Subject(s):
History,
Social studies
August 6, 2024
Treaties, money and art
The Bank of Canada Museum’s collection has a new addition: an artwork called Free Ride by Frank Shebageget. But why would a museum about the economy buy art?
Content type(s):
Blog posts
Subject(s):
Arts,
History
July 16, 2024
Rai: big money
By: Graham Iddon
An item is said to have cultural value when it can be directly associated with the history, people, beliefs or rituals important to a society. It’s the same with a rai—its value can be greater depending upon who authorized it, who carved it and who subsequently owned it.
Content type(s):
Blog posts
Subject(s):
Economy,
Geography,
History
Grade level(s):
Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
April 18, 2024
Lessons from the Great Depression
By: Graham Iddon
What the stock market crash of 1929 did was starkly reveal the weaknesses of economic systems that had evolved from the unregulated capitalism of the late 19th century.
Content type(s):
Blog posts
Subject(s):
Financial literacy,
History
Grade level(s):
Grade 09 / Secondary 3,
Grade 10 / Secondary 4,
Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
March 25, 2024
Welcoming Newfoundland to Canada
By: David Bergeron
Newfoundland’s entry into Confederation marked the end of an era when Canadian provinces issued their own coins and paper money.
Content type(s):
Blog posts
December 19, 2023
New Acquisitions—2023 Edition
It’s that time of the year again—the wrap-up of the Bank of Canada Museum’s annual acquisition program. Here are a few highlights of the latest additions to the National Currency Collection.
Content type(s):
Blog posts
November 27, 2023
Mo’ money, mo’ questions
But what do you do with money once you have it? That’s for you to decide. A budget can really help. It will allow you to keep track of what you earn (income) and what you spend (expenses).
Content type(s):
Blog posts
Subject(s):
Financial literacy
Grade level(s):
Grade 04,
Grade 05,
Grade 06,
Grade 07 / Secondary 1,
Grade 08 / Secondary 2,
Grade 09 / Secondary 3,
Grade 10 / Secondary 4,
Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
