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CA-K099Economy & trade

The two-dollar note became the toonie in 1996

A polar bear near Churchill, Manitoba, in 2014; the animal on the coin’s reverse, not a photograph of the coin.
A polar bear near Churchill, Manitoba, in 2014; the animal on the coin’s reverse, not a photograph of the coin. Polar Bear - Churchill, Manitoba (39489856350) · TravelingOtter from Houston, Texas, USA · Photo source · Photo licence: CC BY 2.0. Resized for display; item previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.
Factual accuracy review: No recorded challenge

No recorded challenge is not proof of accuracy. A challenge under review is not a finding that the item is false.

In 1996, Canada’s two-dollar paper note was replaced by a coin as a cost-saving measure: a two-dollar note lasted about a year, while coins can last more than 10 years. The coin, known as the toonie, has carried a polar bear by nature artist Brent Townsend since 1996.

Scope & context

The change from note to coin, not commemorative toonie designs or the earlier one-dollar coin (see CA-K071).

Sources behind this record

1
The Coming of the Toonie ↗

Bank of Canada Museum

Article, 19 February 2019