Catalog
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| Issuer | The Northern Bank, Winnipeg |
|---|---|
| Year | 1905 |
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| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Dollar (1858-date) |
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| Obverse description | The obverse is dominated by a large central intaglio vignette of two bison resting on the prairie, rendered in fine line engraving with detailed cross-hatching. The bank title 'THE NORTHERN BANK' arches across the top in bold serif lettering, with the denomination numeral '20' appearing in each lower corner against an orange guilloche underprint. The serial number, date 'Nov. 1st 1905', and place of issue 'Winnipeg' appear in the lower portion, above the signature panel bearing two manuscript signatures. |
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| Obverse lettering | THE NORTHERN BANK WINNIPEG WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TWENTY DOLLARS NOV. 1ST 1905 20 COUNTERSIGNED PRESIDENT |
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| Comments |
The Northern Bank was a short-lived institution — chartered in 1905, it collapsed in 1908 following a run on deposits triggered by broader confidence failures in the Canadian prairie banking sector that year. Notes from the 1905 series had an exceptionally brief window of legitimate circulation, and the bank's failure meant redemption was uncertain; noteholders faced real losses before the liquidation process concluded.
The British American Bank Note Company in Ottawa handled printing for a large share of Canadian chartered bank issues during this period, which makes attribution straightforward. At the $20 denomination, surviving examples are scarce — higher-value notes from failed banks were disproportionately surrendered during claims proceedings rather than kept as curiosities.