Bank of Canada unveils first vertical $20 note featuring King Charles III

Canada’s new vertical $20 banknote puts King Charles III on paper currency for the first time, replacing the image of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the denomination.

The Bank of Canada said the note reflects the King’s advocacy of sustainable action and commitment to the environment through its botanical imagery. Floral emblems from all 13 provinces and territories appear alongside flowers with cultural significance for Indigenous communities, including wild strawberries, western red cedar, braided sweetgrass and arctic cotton.

The design also highlights Canada’s natural heritage and ingenuity. It includes quotations from artists recognizing the country’s bilingualism, as well as references to social advances and scientific discoveries. A depiction of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and etched poppies pays tribute to Canadian troops who served during the First World War.

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Our currency affirms our sovereignty and our determination to define ourselves in the eyes of the world on our own terms.

Governor General Louise Arbour said the note affirms Canada’s sovereignty and its determination to define itself on its own terms. Maple leaves appear in several design features, including security elements intended to make the note easy to authenticate.

Canadian currency has featured portraits of the sovereign for decades. Queen Elizabeth II first appeared on a $20 note as Princess Elizabeth at age eight, and the Royal Canadian Mint began circulating coins bearing King Charles’s image in 2023.

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You can all be proud of the result: a new note that is safe, accessible and meaningful for Canadians.