Canada 1954 $5 Banknote – Low Serial # 0001304 – Beattie / Rasminsky – Modified Hair – BC-39b – Very Fine (VF 20–25)

Item Overview

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

• Denomination: $5.00 (Five Dollars / Cinq Dollars)

• Series: 1954 Series (Ottawa, 1954)

• Variety: Modified Hair / Modified Portrait (Smooth hair curls, no Devil’s Face)

• Prefix & Serial Number: X/N 0001304 (Printed in vivid red typography at upper right and lower right)

• Catalog References:

  • Charlton: BC-39b

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick): Pick # 77b

• Signatures:

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

  • L. Rasminsky (Governor / Gouverneur)

• Printer: Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited (CBNC)

• Vignettes:

  • Obverse: Engraved portrait of young Queen Elizabeth II at right framed within a blue tint

  • Reverse: Otter Falls on the Aishihik River in Yukon Territory, printed in deep blue intaglio

Numismatic Attributes & Serial Analysis

• Standard Issue Prefix: The prefix is a standard stacked fractional code X/N rather than a replacement asterisk.

• Low 4-Digit Serial Number: Serial 0001304 features three leading zeros, qualifying as a collectible low serial number note. Low-digit banknotes from the 1954 series enjoy strong crossover demand from both Canadian type collectors and fancy serial enthusiasts.

• Portrait Variety: This bill features the revised portrait plates where Queen Elizabeth II's hair highlights were softened and re-engraved to eliminate the accidental "Devil's Head" shape.

Technical & Visual Assessment

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

• Preservation Highlights:

  • Folds & Circulation: Shows three to four vertical folds and soft handling waves from genuine commercial circulation, but the paper retains good body and remains intact.

  • Margins & Edges: Full, complete borders framing all four sides. The perimeter shows minor handling roughness and corners have mild rounding, but it is free of edge tears, rim splits, or foreign pinholes.

  • Surfaces: Natural, warm unwashed paper aging with light ambient handling tone along the outer margins.

  • Print Contrast: Rich, deep blue intaglio impression on the reverse Otter Falls vignette. The red serial numbers (X/N 0001304) stand out sharply against the face underprint.