New Canadian banknote

In commemoration of the Confederation's 150th anniversary, the Bank of Canada has unveiled a new $10 bill. Going into circulation on June 1st, there will be 40 million notes printed, which is just enough for every Canadian to keep in their wallets.

The new bill will feature four prominent Canadians: Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, and fellow Father of Confederation Sir George-Étienne Cartier, Canada's first female member of Parliament, Agnes MacPhail, and James Gladstone, Canada's first senator from a treaty First Nation — the Kainai (Blood) Tribe. This new bill is meant to instill a sense of pride and indigenous respect for our great nation.

On the back of the bill, there is a variety of Canadian vistas that were chosen by Canadian citizens. The vistas include the Lions and Capilano Lake from British Columbia, fields of Prairie wheat, the Canadian Shield as seen in Quebec, a view of the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Bonavista in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the northern lights as they would be seen in Wood Buffalo National Park.

As the content of the bill is historically beautiful, so is the bill itself. It's impressive magnetic ink, that changes color from blue to green, are used to portray stain glass windows that allude to the Memorial Chamber in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. It serves to represent brave citizens who have given their lives for this country.

Besides Gladstone, there are also more subtle hints to the Bank of Canada embracing the country's historical indigeneity.  There is an Assomption sash pattern along the top and bottom edges of the bill, which derives its origin from Métis culture. There is also a holographic rendering of Owl's Bouquet which is a drawing made by the late Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak. When the note was revealed to the general public, the ceremony was accompanied with Inuit and Algonquin blessings.
 
Bank of Canada gets geeky
If you decide to visit the Bank of Canada's website and take a look at the banknote, there is a little Easter egg to find as well. If you were to enter the Konami Code (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A) on the web page, the Canadian anthem will begin to play and mini $10 banknotes will begin to fall from the top. Well played, Bank of Canada, well played.

Photo courtesy of: Huffington Post