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Canada releases new 20-dollar polymer notes

08 November 2012 09:49 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Ali Ahmadov â€“ APA-Economics. Canada’s central bank on Wednesday unveiled a 20-dollar banknote made of polymer instead of paper at the Canadian War Museum, Xinhua news agency reported, APA reports.

The 20-dollar bill is the country’s most used denomination, accounting for about half of the 1.6 billion Canadian dollars (US$1.59 billion) circulating in the country.

While a portrait of Canada’s head of state, British Queen Elizabeth II appears on the front of the new note, imagery on the bank depicts the twin-tower Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

"The new bill represents innovative technology and Canadian ingenuity," said Bank of Canada director Mark Carney.

The new notes also demonstrate how Canada is staying ahead of counterfeiters, said federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

The plastic-based, 20-dollar bills are loaded with anti-counterfeiting features, including holographic security areas and numbers that appear in reverse or that are hidden and can only be seen using a small light, such as an incandescent bulb or pot light.

The new bill is part of the Bank of Canada’s Polymer series, which include a 100-dollar banknote issued last November and a new 50-dollar bill unveiled in March.

Two more polymer notes will be issued by the end of 2013.