{"id":75515,"date":"2026-04-10T10:19:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T17:19:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surreygold.ca\/?post_type=blog&p=75515"},"modified":"2026-04-10T10:19:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T17:19:31","slug":"the-1954-devils-face-banknote","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/surreygold.ca\/zh\/canada-gold-surrey-blog\/the-1954-devils-face-banknote\/","title":{"rendered":"The 1954 \u201cDevil\u2019s Face\u201d Banknote: Canada\u2019s Most Controversial Currency"},"content":{"rendered":"

1954 $100 \u201cDevil\u2019s Face\u201d banknote. Photo courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum<\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

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Canada\u2019s 1954 \u201cDevil\u2019s Face\u201d<\/strong> banknotes are one of the most intriguing pieces of Canadian currency. Often misunderstood, their story is rooted in public perception rather than in intentional design. Here\u2019s a closer look at what these notes are, how to identify them, and what they\u2019re actually worth today.<\/p>\n
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What is the \u201cDevil\u2019s Face\u201d Banknote?<\/h2>\n
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The term \u201cDevil\u2019s Face\u201d<\/strong> refers to a series of Canadian banknotes (formally titled \u201cThe Canadian Landscape\u201d<\/a> series) issued in 1954, shortly after Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne. This marked the first Canadian currency to feature the young Queen\u2019s portrait across all denominations, which ranged from $1 to $1,000.<\/p>\n
Not long after the notes entered circulation, people began to notice something unusual in the Queen\u2019s hair. The highlights and shadows in the engraving appeared to form the image of a grinning face, complete with what looked like bushy eyebrows, a hooked nose, and a mischievous smile. Many interpreted this as a \u201cdevil\u2019s face\u201d<\/strong> hidden behind the Queen\u2019s ear, and the term stuck.<\/p>\n
Whether you see it immediately or need it pointed out, the illusion is striking once noticed, and it quickly became a topic of public discussion.<\/p>\n
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The Controversy and Redesign<\/h2>\n
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\"YousufPortrait of Queen Elizabeth II taken by Yousuf Karsh. Photo courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum<\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
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Public reaction grew quickly, and the issue gained enough attention to reach beyond Canada. In 1956, British politician H. L. Hogg even wrote to the Canadian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, expressing alarm over the image and suggesting it appeared too deliberate to be accidental. As the story spread, it fuelled speculation and conspiracy theories, with some blaming hidden symbolism or even the engraver himself.<\/p>\n
The original portrait was based on a photograph by renowned Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh and engraved by George Gunderson, Art Director at the British American Bank Note Company in Ottawa. When comparing the engraving to the original photograph, it becomes clear that Gunderson\u2019s work closely followed the source material, and the \u201cface\u201d was simply an unintended visual illusion.<\/p>\n
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\"ComparisonYousuf Karsh\u2019s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II compared with George Gunderson\u2019s engraving. Photo courtesy of the Bank of Canada Museum<\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
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The Bank of Canada moved quickly to revise the design, enlisting engraver Yves Baril to adjust the portrait. In 1956, the original plates were updated to darken the highlights in the Queen\u2019s hair, removing the illusion. These revised notes are often referred to as the \u201cModified Portrait\u201d<\/strong> series, while the originals are known as the \u201cDevil\u2019s Face\u201d<\/strong> notes.<\/p>\n
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How to Spot a \u201cDevil\u2019s Face\u201d Note<\/h2>\n
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Identifying one of these notes comes down to careful observation of the Queen\u2019s portrait. You won\u2019t be able to tell by the date as, unlike coins, banknotes show the year the series was issued (1954), not when the individual note was printed.<\/p>\n
Focus on the lower back section of her hair, just behind the ear. On the original 1954 notes, the pattern of highlights and shadows resembles a small face, often described as having:<\/p>\n