Sometimes, the most haunting stories in numismatics aren’t ancient at all — they’re hiding in plain sight.


In 1954, Canada unveiled a new series of banknotes featuring the young Queen Elizabeth II. It was meant to symbolize renewal, modernity, and confidence in a post-war world. But within months, rumors began to ripple across the Commonwealth:

people claimed they could see the face of the Devil lurking in the Queen’s hair.


What began as a design illusion became one of paper money’s most enduring legends

— part optical trick, part cultural phenomenon, and an irresistible pursuit for collectors ever since.

The Story Behind the Devil’s Face

The alleged “Devil’s Face” appears in the earliest printings of the 1954 Canadian banknote series, designed by British portrait engraver Dorothy Wilding and adapted by the Canadian Bank Note Company. The problem lay in the Queen’s hair — or rather, in the shadows between its curls.


Under certain lighting, those shadows seemed to form the contours of a sinister face: eyes, nose, and a grinning mouth. Some saw the image as pure coincidence, a quirk of detailed intaglio engraving; others whispered of hidden meanings or mischievous engravers.


Public reaction grew intense enough that officials quietly commissioned a Modified Portrait. The new version softened the dark lines, removing the illusion while keeping the regal profile intact. Both varieties circulated, and thus a legend — and a collector’s quest — was born.


Today, the Devil’s Face banknotes stand as a modern reminder that even the most official art can invite superstition, and that our eyes often see what our fears suggest.
Cropped version of 1984,0023,00110,000,a1,2d0082.jpg, from Canada, Bank of Canada, 1 dollar : 1954 at the National currency Museum of the Bank of Canada. Author Bank of Canada.

How to Identify a Devil’s Face Note

Distinguishing between the Original Portrait (Devil’s Face) and the Modified Portrait is straightforward once you know where to look — but spotting authentic, high-grade examples takes a practiced eye.


Key Diagnostics:

  1. The Hair Near the Ear: On genuine Devil’s Face notes, look closely at the shadows in the Queen’s hair to the right of her ear. You’ll see what appears to be an embedded “face” formed by darker shading. In the Modified Portrait, the area is redrawn with smoother curls and lighter lines.
  2. Paper & Printing: Original notes exhibit rich intaglio depth — you can feel the raised ink by touch. Flat or shiny impressions suggest reprints or over-pressed specimens.
  3. Denominations: The Devil’s Face portrait appears across multiple denominations of the 1954 series, including $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes. Higher denominations tend to be rarer in uncirculated condition.
  4. Serials & Signatures: Collectors often specialize by signature combination or replacement note variety. Comprehensive checklists are available through Charlton’s Standard Catalogue of Canadian Banknotes.
Obverse of $2 banknote, Canada 1954 Series,
Cropped version of 1984,0023,00117,000,a1,2d0082.jpg, from Canada, Bank of Canada, 5 dollars : 1954 at the National currency Museum of the Bank of Canada. Author Bank of Canada.
Cropped version of 1984,0023,00122,000,a1,2d0082.jpg, from Canada, Bank of Canada, 10 dollars : 1954 at the National currency Museum of the Bank of Canada. Author Bank of Canada.
Cropped version of 1984,0023,00126,000,a1,2d0082.jpg, from Canada, Bank of Canada, 20 dollars : 1954 at the National currency Museum of the Bank of Canada. Author Bank of Canada.
Cropped version of 1984,0023,00130,000,a1,2d0082.jpg, from Canada, Bank of Canada, 50 dollars : 1954 at the National currency Museum of the Bank of Canada. Author Bank of Canada.
Cropped version of 1984,0023,00134,000,a1,2d0082.jpg, from Canada, Bank of Canada, 100 dollars : 1954 at the National currency Museum of the Bank of Canada. Author Bank of Canada.

Why Collectors Care

What makes the Devil’s Face notes irresistible isn’t just rarity — it’s storytelling.

  • Cultural Symbolism: In an age of Cold War tension and mass media, the rumor of hidden evil in royal imagery captured imaginations across the globe.
  • Design Intrigue: The portrait remains a masterpiece of engraving — so detailed that perception itself became part of the design.
  • Historical Contrast: The Modified Portrait provides a tangible example of how art, controversy, and public opinion can reshape national currency.
  • Modern Accessibility: Unlike ancient rarities, Devil’s Face notes remain obtainable, making them a gateway for new collectors drawn to legends with a modern twist.


For seasoned numismatists, they embody a perfect storm of art, psychology, and collectability — proof that even paper can possess a haunting presence.


Tips for Collectors and Enthusiasts

  1. Handle with Care: Banknotes are fragile; always use cotton gloves and archival sleeves.
  2. Watch for Cleaning or Pressing: Flattened embossing or unnaturally stiff paper often indicates tampering.
  3. Build Pairs: Display a Devil’s Face and a Modified Portrait side by side for maximum storytelling impact.
  4. Verify Condition: Use proper grading scales — crispness, corner integrity, and color saturation affect value dramatically.
  5. Document Provenance: Record serials, signature varieties, and source. Authentic history enhances both display and resale.

The Devil’s Face banknote proves that even modern currency can stir ancient instincts.

A portrait meant to symbolize dignity instead sparked whispers of hidden evil

— and became one of the most talked-about varieties in 20th-century paper money.


To hold one is to experience numismatic folklore in real time: an accident of art elevated to legend.

For collectors, these notes bridge the worlds of design and delusion, inviting us to ask what we really see

— and why we want to see it.


Perhaps the Devil was never in the Queen’s hair at all, but in our imagination...