Archives

• February 3, 2022

  Queen of the bank notes

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Few of us have ever met her, and it’s likely none of us are even remotely related to her. Yet, Canadians have carried her picture in their wallets for generations now. She’s Queen Elizabeth II and has been our monarch for over 70 years.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
• December 22, 2021

  New acquisitions–2021 edition

  By: David Bergeron

  
  

  

  The Bank of Canada Museum is responsible for the National Currency Collection, and part of its mandate is to foster and develop that collection. Despite the challenges of collecting during a pandemic, curators at the Bank of Canada Museum have acquired some unique artifacts—including some that document the pandemic itself.

  Content type(s): Blog posts
• December 2, 2021

  The true value of money

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  What is money—when you really stop to think about it? To understand how money works, and what it ultimately represents, we need to strip it down to its very basic function.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy Grade level(s): Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• November 16, 2021

  The 1911 silver dollar

  By: David Bergeron

  
  

  

  The 1911 silver dollar has a history to match its prestige, and it now has a permanent home in the National Currency Collection of the Bank of Canada Museum.

  Content type(s): Blog posts
• October 25, 2021

  Assessing the life cycle of a bank note

  

  Examine the environmental impact of everyday items by assessing the life cycle of a universal product: money.

  Content type(s): Lesson plans Subject(s): Geography, Science Grade level(s): Grade 05, Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4
• October 21, 2021

  Needs or wants? That is the question!

  

  Do you need it, or do you want it? That’s an important question to ask before buying anything. This activity is designed to teach kids how to prioritize their needs and wants, and how to make informed choices when shopping.

  Content type(s): Activities and games Subject(s): Economy, Financial literacy, Health, Math Grade level(s): Early childhood / Kindergarten, Grade 01, Grade 02
• October 21, 2021

  Moving mountains

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  The $20 bill of 1969 was the prototype of the Scenes of Canada note series. Yet, as more notes were designed, the theme—and the $20 note itself—would change.

  Content type(s): Blog posts
• September 16, 2021

  A mythic metal: Some stories of gold coins

  By: Krista Broeckx

  
  

  

  In 1896, three enterprising men struck gold in the Klondike region of the Yukon. Their story is just one of many that illustrates the allure of gold through the ages.

  Content type(s): Blog posts
• September 2, 2021

  Virtual Worlds. Real Economies.

  By: Adam Young

  
  

  

  The economies in modern, complex video games can teach gamers a lot about decision making and financial literacy.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• August 19, 2021

  Fur Trade Economics

  By: David Bergeron, Graham Iddon, Krista Broeckx

  
  

  

  Over its 350-year lifespan, the Hudson’s Bay Company has had an enormous impact on Canada’s economy and how the nation was settled.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, History, Social studies Grade level(s): 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