Summary

Five Dollar polymer bank note, Canada, 2013 AD.

In November 2013, the Bank of Canada / Banque du Canada issued two polymer notes, $5 and $10.
Canada had previously issued polymer notes in $20, $50 and $100 denominations.

A new $5 note was introduced November 7, 2013. The obverse features Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Prime Minister, and a hologram of the Mackenzie Tower from the West Block on Parliament Hill, Ottawa; the obverse features an astronaut working with Dextre attached to the Canadarm2.

"Canadarm2 is the centrepiece of Canada's contribution to the International Space Station. The 17 metre-long robotic arm plays a major role in the assembly and maintenance of the station. It routinely makes repairs, moves equipment and supplies, captures and docks unpiloted spacecraft and, at times, supports spacewalking astronauts. Launched in April 2001, Canadarm2 is a larger, more advanced version of the original Canadarm, which was retired in July 2011.

Dextre, which is short for Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, is a sophisticated two-armed robot that attaches to Canadarm2. It acts as a space handyman and performs routine upkeep and repair work outside the International Space Station so that astronauts can devote their time to scientific research. Launched in March 2008, the Bank of Canada states that Dextre is sometimes referred to as "the Canada Hand", since it rides on the end of Canadarm2 and "manipulates small components that require precise handling."

According to NASA, Dextre can be operated from the ground by the Canadian Space Agency in Quebec, or NASA in Houston.

Physical Description

Polymer bank note in blue tones with full colour holographic section. Obverse depicts, in centre, portrait of Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier. At right, image of West Block of Parliament building in Ottawa (holographic feature) with colour portrait of Laurier above. Two signatures at left of portrait. At far left , F IVE . CINQ DOLLARS. At left of portrait, maple leaf design with Canada above and number 5 below. to left of holographic feature , BANQUE DU CANADA , and at right, BANK OF CANADA. Reverse depicts at left, image of West Block of Parliament building in Ottawa (holographic feature) with colour portrait of Laurier above. In centre, robotic devices Dextre and the Mobile Base, Canadian astronaut, partial view of the Earth showing North America and the GreatLakes. On the Earth, CANADARM2 ET DEXTRE /CANADARM2 AND DEXTRE.In background, 5 stars. At right, maple leaf design with Canada above and number 5 below. Serial number printed twice in black.

Obverse Description

In centre, portrait of Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier. At right, image of West Block of Parliament building in Ottawa (holographic feature) with colour portrait of Laurier above. At far left, FIVE . CINQ DOLLARS. At left of portrait, maple leaf design with Canada above and number 5 below. At left of holographic feature, BANQUE DU CANADA, and at right, BANK OF CANADA.

Reverse Description

At left, image of West Block of Parliament building in Ottawa (holographic feature) with colour portrait of Laurier above. In centre, robotic devices Dextre and the Mobile Base, Canadian astronaut, partial view of the Earth showing North America and the Great Lakes. On the Earth, CANADARM2 ET DEXTRE /CANADARM2 AND DEXTRE. In background, 5 stars. At right, maple leaf design with Canada above and number 5 below

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