{"id":75513,"date":"2026-04-10T13:22:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T17:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montrealgold.ca\/?post_type=blog&p=75513"},"modified":"2026-04-10T13:22:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T17:22:20","slug":"le-billet-de-banque-visage-du-diable-de-1954","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/montrealgold.ca\/en\/montreal-gold-blog\/le-billet-de-banque-visage-du-diable-de-1954\/","title":{"rendered":"The 1954 \u00abDevil's Face\u00bb banknote: Canada's most controversial currency"},"content":{"rendered":"

1954 $ \u00abDevil's Face\u00bb 100 banknote. Photo courtesy of Bank of Canada Museum<\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

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Canadian bank bills of 1954 \u00abface of the devil\u00bb<\/strong> are among Canada's most intriguing coins. Often misunderstood, their history is rooted in public perception rather than design intent. Here's a closer look at what these bills are, how to identify them and what their value is today.<\/p>\n
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What is the \u00abdevil's face\u00bb banknote?<\/h2>\n
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The term \u00abdevil's face\u00bb<\/strong> refers to a series of Canadian banknotes (officially called the \u00abCanadian landscape series\u00bb<\/a>) issued in 1954, shortly after Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne. It was the first Canadian coin to feature the portrait of the young Queen on all denominations, from 1 $ to 1,000 $.<\/p>\n
Shortly after the bills were put into circulation, people began to notice something unusual about the Queen's hair. The highlights and shadows of the engraving seemed to form the image of a smiling face, with what looked like full eyebrows, a hooked nose and a mischievous grin. Many interpreted this as a \u00abdevil's face\u00bb<\/strong> hidden behind the queen's ear, and the term stuck.<\/p>\n
Whether you see it immediately or need it pointed out, the illusion is striking once you notice it, and has quickly become a topic of public discussion.<\/p>\n
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Controversy and redesign<\/h2>\n
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\"YousufPortrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Yousuf Karsh. Photo courtesy of Bank of Canada Museum<\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
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Public reaction quickly gained momentum, and the case generated enough attention to go beyond Canada's borders. In 1956, British politician H. L. Hogg even wrote to Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, expressing concern about the image and suggesting that it seemed too deliberate to be accidental. As the story spread, it fueled speculation and conspiracy theories, with some attributing it to hidden symbolism or even to the engraver himself.<\/p>\n
The original portrait was based on a photograph by renowned Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh, and was engraved by George Gunderson, Art Director of the British American Bank Note Company in Ottawa. Comparing the engraving with the original photograph, it becomes clear that Gunderson's work closely followed the source, and that the \u00abface\u00bb was merely an unintentional visual illusion.<\/p>\n
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\"ComparisonPortrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Yousuf Karsh compared to George Gunderson's engraving. Photo courtesy of Bank of Canada Museum<\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
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The Bank of Canada moved quickly to revise the design, calling on engraver Yves Baril to adjust the portrait. In 1956, the original plates were modified to darken the highlights in the Queen's hair, eliminating the illusion. These revised banknotes are often referred to as the \u00abmodified portrait\u00bb<\/strong>, while the originals are known as \u00abdevil's face\u00bb<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
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How to spot a \u00abdevil's face\u00bb bill\u00bb<\/h2>\n
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Identifying one of these banknotes requires careful observation of the Queen's portrait. You won't be able to rely on the date, because unlike coins, banknotes display the year of the series issued (1954) and not the year the individual bill was printed.<\/p>\n
Pay particular attention to the lower back of her hair, just behind her ear. On the original 1954 banknotes, the play of shadows and reflections resembles a small face, often described as having :<\/p>\n