Canada 1954 $1 Banknote Modified Hair Bouey Rasminsky (986) F/W Block AU/UNC

Item Overview

• Issuing Authority: Bank of Canada / Banque du Canada (Ottawa)

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

• Series: 1954 Canadian Landscape Series

• Catalog Reference:

  • Charlton Standard Catalogue: BC-37b

  • Krause / Pick (World Paper Money): Pick # 66b

• Serial Number: J/F 7873986 (Dual 7-digit serials in red ink with fractional prefix)

• Signatures / Officials:

  • J.R. Beattie (Deputy Governor / Sous-Gouverneur)

  • Louis Rasminsky (Governor / Gouverneur)

• Printer: British American Bank Note Company Limited (BABN) (inscribed in bottom margin)

• Portrait & Vignette:

  • Face: Young portrait of Queen Elizabeth II engraved from a photograph by prominent Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh.

  • Back (Standard for Type): Prairie farm landscape featuring a dirt road, telephone poles, and rural Saskatchewan scenery.

Variety Check: "Devil's Face" vs. Modified Portrait

• Variety: Modified Portrait ("No Devil's Face")

• Identification Details:

  • In the initial 1954 release, shading in Queen Elizabeth II's hair behind her ear inadvertently resembled a grinning demon or "Devil's Face."

  • Following public outcry, the Bank of Canada ordered the plates re-engraved in 1956 to darken and smooth the hair highlights.

  • On this note, the hair behind the Queen's left ear consists of darkened, even, horizontal line shading with no facial highlights or demon silhouette, confirming the Modified Portrait variety.

• Signature Era: The Beattie–Rasminsky pairing was issued during Rasminsky's tenure as Governor (1961–1973), firmly placing this printing well after the re-engraving transition.

Fancy Serial Breakdown

• Serial Number Analysis: 7873986

  • Digits Present: 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 (contains double 77 and double 88).

  • Pattern Breakdown: A standard circulating 7-digit run with the fractional prefix J/F. It is not a replacement asterisk note (*), two-letter Devil's Face prefix, or strict fancy pattern (such as a radar, solid, or rotator).

Condition & Visual Grade

• Estimated Technical Grade: Very Fine (VF 20 – VF 25)

• Preservation Highlights:

  • Solid paper fabric retaining moderate body and original green/black intaglio depth.

  • Displays honest period circulation: multiple vertical wallet folds, a faint horizontal center crease, and natural softening along the perimeter.

  • Authentic light handling patina/age toning across the outer white border margins.

  • Clean borders free of severe edge splits, pinholes, or chunk loss, with sharp red serial overprints.

• Centering: Well-balanced margins on all four sides within complete outer lathework borders.