Chloe Zhang
In 2011, Canada began printing its banknotes on a plastic-like polymer, replacing the previous blend of cotton and paper. The new material was introduced to increase the durability of the currency and to incorporate more security features. The polymer notes also offered benefits such as staying cleaner and performing better in vending machines and ATMs. The first plastic note issued was the $100 bill, which featured an image of Sir Robert Borden, Canada's eighth Prime Minister.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of change | 2011 |
| Reason for change | Modern nature of banking |
| Benefits | More durable, secure, and hygienic |
| First plastic piece | $100 bill |
| Features | Patriotic designs and homages to Canadian historical figures |
| Polymer weight | 0.93 grams |
| Polymer thickness | 91 micrometres |
| Banknote dimensions | 152.4 x 69.85 millimetres |
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What You'll Learn
Canadian plastic money was introduced in 2011
Canadian plastic money, or polymer banknotes, were introduced in 2011 as part of the 7th series of banknotes of the Canadian dollar, also known as the Frontier series. The first plastic piece introduced was the $100 bill, which featured the image of the 8th Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden. This was followed by the $20 bill, which was launched in 2012 and displayed the visage of Queen Elizabeth II. The polymer banknotes were designed to be more durable than traditional paper money, with a smoother texture and similar thickness. They also included enhanced security features, such as holograms, to protect against counterfeiting.
The switch to polymer money offered several benefits to the Canadian government and consumers. Polymer banknotes were found to be more durable than their paper counterparts, with scientific experiments showing that they could last between two and five years longer. This also resulted in a reduced environmental impact, as polymer notes are recyclable and less prone to damage. Polymer money was also found to perform better in vending machines and ATMs, and it stays cleaner as it is virtually waterproof and does not absorb skin oils, residue, germs, perspiration, and liquids.
The design of the polymer banknotes in Canada also served to showcase national values and accomplishments throughout the country's history. In addition to featuring portraits of notable Canadians, the banknotes highlighted historic achievements and innovations, such as medical research and the development of insulin to treat diabetes. The designs also included references to Canadian astronauts, the research vessel CCGS Amundsen, and the Indigenous Inuktitut phrasing of the word 'Arctic'.
The introduction of the polymer banknotes in Canada was preceded by a transition period during which the Bank of Canada secured the rights to use a polymer substrate for printing. The use of polymer as a substrate offered enhanced security, as access to the material could be controlled, and the chemical and physical recipe would be difficult to replicate. The change to polymer banknotes was announced by Jim Flaherty in the 2010 Canadian federal budget speech on March 4, 2010.
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It is made of polymer, a durable plastic
Canadian currency made the switch to polymer, a durable plastic, in 2011 with the introduction of the $100 bill. This was a significant change as it marked the first time that Canadian money was made from a substance other than traditional paper and cotton fibre blend. The $50 bill soon followed, also adopting the polymer material in the same year. The remaining lower denominations, the $5, $10, and $20 bills, were gradually transitioned to plastic by 2013. This shift to polymer currency was undertaken by the Bank of Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), to create bills that would be more durable, secure, and accessible.
The polymer material used for Canadian currency is a thin, flexible, and transparent substrate that provides a unique combination of benefits. It is significantly more durable than traditional paper, offering increased resistance to wear and tear. The plastic bills can withstand more folding, crumpling, and even washing machine cycles than their paper counterparts. This extended lifespan reduces the need for frequent replacements, resulting in cost savings for the government and a reduced environmental impact.
Polymer bills also offer enhanced security features that deter counterfeiting. The complex production process of polymer notes allows for the incorporation of sophisticated security features that are difficult to replicate. These features include transparent windows, holographic images, and raised ink that are challenging to reproduce, thus increasing the security of the currency.
In addition, the durable plastic material provides benefits for individuals with visual impairments. The longer lifespan of the bills allows for the continued use of raised braille dots, a feature introduced on Canadian currency in 2001, which helps individuals identify denominations by touch. The polymer substrate also enables the incorporation of larger, more prominent numbers, which improves visibility for those with low vision.
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Polymer money is recyclable and more hygienic
Canada began printing its currency on plastic-like polymer banknotes in 2011, replacing the previous blend of cotton and paper. The $100 bill, featuring the image of the 8th Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden, was the first plastic piece introduced.
Polymer money is recyclable. The process involves shredding the polymer notes and heating them to high temperatures. The recycled polymer pallets created from this process can then be used to make new plastic items, such as compost bins, flowerpots, and power sockets. However, the recycled polymer is not used to create new banknotes as the mix of polymer and inks does not meet the required standards.
Polymer money is also more hygienic than paper money. Paper tends to absorb skin oils, residue, germs, perspiration, and liquids, whereas polymer is a virtually waterproof material. This makes it harder for harmful germs to stick to the plastic and reduces the transmission of diseases and moisture. A 2013 study found that while polymer currency allowed MRSA superbugs to survive for 24 hours, paper notes only allowed for a survival time of three hours. However, subsequent studies on the new polymer £5 note in the UK found that harmful germs were much less likely to stick to the plastic.
The switch to polymer money in Canada also brought new designs that paid homage to Canadian historical figures, astronauts, research vessels, and Indigenous phrasing. The durability of polymer money was another factor in the decision to switch, with scientific experiments showing that polymer currency could last between two and five years longer than paper. Polymer money also performs better in vending machines and ATMs.
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It has more security features than paper money
Canada's transition to polymer banknotes began in 2011, with the $100 bill the first to be introduced. This new plastic currency offered several benefits, including enhanced security features, improved durability, and reduced disease transmission.
The polymer banknotes were designed to incorporate more security features than traditional paper money. One notable feature is the inclusion of holograms, which provide anti-counterfeiting measures. The holograms are part of a larger window in the banknote, allowing for detailed printing that makes the currency harder to counterfeit. The complexity of these security features is essential in ensuring the authenticity of the banknote, protecting consumers and businesses from financial losses due to fake notes.
The polymer material itself also offers security advantages. Its smooth, durable nature makes it more challenging for counterfeiters to replicate compared to paper. Additionally, the polymer substrate used in the production of the banknotes is carefully controlled, and its chemical and physical recipe is difficult to reproduce, further enhancing security.
The design of the polymer banknotes also showcases Canada's historical figures, achievements, and innovations. For instance, the $100 polymer note celebrates Canadian medical innovations and research. It features an early insulin bottle, honouring the discovery by Canadian researchers that insulin could be used to treat diabetes. It also includes a depiction of a DNA strand, representing advancements in genetic research.
The transition to polymer banknotes in Canada not only provided practical benefits, such as increased durability and improved performance in vending machines and ATMs, but also offered enhanced security features that made the currency more secure and difficult to counterfeit. These measures help protect the financial welfare of the country and its citizens.
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The first plastic piece introduced was the $100 bill
Canada began printing its currency on plastic-like polymer in 2011. The first plastic piece introduced was the $100 bill, which entered circulation in 2011. The bill features the image of Sir Robert Borden, Canada's eighth Prime Minister, who led the country during the First World War. The $100 bill also includes a depiction of an early insulin bottle, dating back to 1923, honouring Canadian researchers Frederick Banting and Charles Best, who discovered that insulin could be used to treat diabetes in 1921. The bill was chosen as the first plastic piece due to its popularity among counterfeiters, and the new material was expected to make it more secure. The polymer substrate was chosen because it is difficult to replicate and provides increased durability compared to paper. The $100 bill was followed by the $20 bill in 2012, which featured Queen Elizabeth II.
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Frequently asked questions
Canadian money became plastic in 2011, with the introduction of the Frontier series of polymer banknotes.
The switch to plastic money was made for several reasons. Polymer banknotes are more durable than paper money, lasting between two and five years longer. They are also more hygienic, as paper notes absorb skin oils, residue, germs, perspiration, and liquids. Polymer notes also have more security features, making them harder to counterfeit.
Canadian plastic banknotes are made from a polymer substrate. This is a type of plastic that is smooth and durable.
Canadian plastic banknotes feature images of important Canadian figures, such as Sir Robert Borden, Queen Elizabeth II, astronauts, and researchers. They also include images of Canadian achievements and innovations, such as the research vessel CCGS Amundsen and the Inuktitut Indigenous phrasing of the word "Arctic".
All current denominations of Canadian money ($5, $10, $20, $50, and $100) are made from polymer.
