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Design of Canada's new $20 polymer bill be unveiled
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Canadians will finally get a peek at the new polymer $20 bill, the country's most commonly used bank note, when the Bank of Canada unveils its design on Wednesday in Ottawa.
Until now, the nation has only been privy to the design of the BoC's new $100 and $50 notes, which were released in November 2011 and March respectively.
While high-rolling types and curious Canadians alike were keen to get their hands on the larger polymer bills, it's the $20 note that's most likely to line wallets. From coast to coast, the bank note is the country's most commonly circulated denomination.
The popularity of the $20 bill makes it a target for counterfeiting, a practice the BoC intends to battle with its entire polymer bank note series.
Like its plastic predecessors, the synthetic $20 bill will include holographic security areas, raised ink and metallic images printed on a transparent window. The RCMP has lauded the new security figures as an important step against bogus bill production, though the practice has declined in recent years.
The synthetic bill series has proved to be somewhat frustrating for consumers and small business owners who say the new design makes it undetectable in some counters and ATMs, a concern that may grow when the new $20 bill enters circulation later this year.
While the BoC says it's been working with ATM vendors to "facilitate a smooth transition to polymer notes," the focus of Wednesday's news conference is solely the slick appearance of the new bill.
Images intended to pay tribute to Canadian men and women who served in military conflicts will be featured on the synthetic $20 note. Also included is an updated portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, and an image of the Canadian National Vimy memorial.
News conference attendees will hear from BoC Governor Mark Carney, who was named "Canadian of the Year" by the Canadian Club of Toronto only a day ago.
The $20 bill is expected to be tossed into circulation later this year. Remaining denominations -- $5 and $10 -- will be released by the end of 2013.
Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20120502/boc-to-unveil-polymer-20-dollar-bill-120502/#ixzz1tjBvhpkI
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