1937 Canada $1 Banknote – King George VI (Gordon / Towers) – Bilingual Issue – Pick # 58b / Charlton # BC-21b – Crisp Uncirculated (Choice CU 63–64)

Item Overview

• Issuing Authority: Bank of Canada / Banque du Canada

• Denomination: $1.00 / 1 Dollar ("One Dollar / Un Dollar")

• Issue Date: Ottawa, 2nd Jan. 1937 ("Ottawa, le 2 Jan. 1937")

• Series: 1937 Bilingual Issue (The historic first bilingual paper currency series of Canada)

• Catalog References:

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick): Pick # 58b

  • Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Government Paper Money: BC-21b

• Serial Number: B/M 2671583 (dual 7-digit numbers in vivid red ink)

• Prefix / Denomination Letter: B/M (B over M prefix indicating $1 denomination)

• Signatures / Bank Officials:

  • Deputy Governor: J. A. C. Osborne / Donald Gordon (Signed: D. Gordon)

  • Governor: Graham Ford Towers (Signed: G. F. Towers)

  • Variety Confirmation: The Gordon / Towers signature combination designates Charlton variety BC-21b (preceded by the scarcer Osborne/Towers BC-21a).

• Security Printer: Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited (CBN) (micro-imprint in lower right borders)

Design & Historical Significance: The 1937 Bilingual Transition

• First Bilingual Series: Prior to 1937, Bank of Canada notes (the 1935 inaugural series) were issued in separate English and French versions. The 1937 series marked Canada's permanent move to a unified bilingual format, featuring English on the left and French on the right.

• King George VI Portrait: Features an intaglio portrait bust of King George VI in full British military uniform wearing the Star of the Order of the Garter, based on a photograph by Bertram Park. This design was rushed into production following the unexpected December 1936 abdication of King Edward VIII.

• Reverse Allegorical Vignette: An allegorical depiction of Agriculture seated in classical robes, holding a cornucopia of harvested grain, fruits, and produce. The vignette is flanked by two large, ornate lathework "1" medallions and maple leaf flourishes.

Condition & Visual Grade Assessment

• Estimated Technical Grade: Choice Crisp Uncirculated (Choice CU 63 – CU 64)

• Preservation Highlights:

  • Exceptional pack-fresh paper body retaining full original crispness, thickness, and tactile intaglio plate relief.

  • Completely uncirculated and flat—zero commercial folds, center wallet creases, or counting bends.

  • Clean, sharp 90-degree squared corners and unsoftened, intact edge perimeters.

  • Completely free of pinholes, pencil markings, stains, or handling finger soiling.

  • Bright, vivid red serial numbers and deep emerald-green bank-note ink.

• Centering:

  • Obverse: Well-framed white margins on all four sides.

  • Reverse: Broad, balanced borders surrounding the green lathework frame.