THE CANADIAN DOLLAR – NUMBER 6 OF THE WORLD’S MAJOR CURRENCIES
According to Countryaah, the Canadian dollar (CAD) is legal tender in Canada and ranks sixth on the list of the world’s most important currencies. Canada is one of the wealthiest countries and the eleventh largest economy in the world. As an important partner in international trade, Canada is represented in the World Trade Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Here you can order the Canadian currency online or use our currency converter to convert amounts from euros to Canadian dollars based on the current exchange rate.
A SINGLE CURRENCY FOR THE SECOND LARGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
The dollar was introduced in Canada in April 1871 with the aim of creating a single currency for all of the country’s provinces. Like the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar is based on the US dollar and is also indicated with the $ symbol – often with the addition of C $.
A PARTICULARLY FORGERY-PROOF MEANS OF PAYMENT
Since its inception, the Canadian dollar has established itself as one of the most counterfeit-proof currencies in North America. A new, particularly forgery-proof 100 dollar bill made of plastic has been available for several years. A special feature is the transparent viewing window into which a metallic hologram is incorporated. Canada’s banknote series is not only considered to be extremely forgery-proof, but thanks to its structured surface is also easier to distinguish between the visually impaired and the blind.
CANADIAN COINS – A TRIBUTE TO NATURE
The coins are minted in the national languages English and French and are issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian mint based in Ottawa. Canada has long been independent from Great Britain, but the nominal head of state is still the Queen. For this reason, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II adorns the obverse of all Canadian coins. Canada captivates above all with its breathtaking and varied landscape. The motifs on the Canadian coins also relate to this diversity of species and plants. The reverse of the 5 cent coin depicts Canada’s national animal: the beaver. The 25 cent and 1 dollar coins show other animals typical of the country: the caribou or the common loon. The reverse of the 1 cent coin is decorated with a maple leaf. However, their minting was stopped in April 2012 by budget law because the production costs exceeded their value. Nonetheless, the 1-cent coins will remain valid for the time being.
EACH COIN HAS ITS OWN NAME
While the 5-cent coin is called “Nickel” and the 25-cent coin is called “Quarter”, the 1-dollar coin is called “Loonie” or “Huard” – based on the loon depicted on it (English : loon, French: huard). In colloquial language, the Canadian currency is often called “buck” – just like the US dollar. The name probably goes back to the word “buckskin”: billy goat leather used to be a widespread medium of exchange.
THEMATIC SERIES FOR CANADIAN BANKNOTES HAVE EXISTED SINCE 1954
The notes are produced by the Canadian Bank Note Company and BA International Inc. The front of the Canadian banknotes are decorated with former prime ministers of the country, the 20-dollar banknote shows Queen Elizabeth II. Since 1954, various thematic series have been published for the Canadian banknotes. The series from 1986 shows Canadian birds such as the snowy owl or the Canada goose as motifs, while the series from 2001 deals with the topic of a trip to Canada. The latest series from 2011 shows innovations from Canada: for example the discovery of insulin by Canadian researchers or the exploration of the Arctic. All banknotes in the series are 152.4 × 69.85 mm in size. From 2000 the production of 1000 dollar bills ceased, as they were widely used in the context of organized crime. However, they remain the official means of payment.
EXCHANGE CANADIAN DOLLARS ONLINE
You can conveniently buy the Canadian dollar (CAD) and other currencies in the XE webshop. View the current exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the euro above or via the XE currency converter and order your travel money online. The currencies you buy from us will then be delivered to your home within a few days. However, you can still change your travel money in the branches of XE.
THE CURRENCY AT A GLANCE
1 Canadian dollar = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: C $, CAD (ISO code). There are banknotes in the denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 C $, coins in the denominations of 2 and 1 C $ as well as 50 (rare), 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent (1 cent coins have been in use since 2012 no longer coined).
FOREIGN EXCHANGE REGULATIONS
There are no restrictions for Canada. The obligation to declare applies from an amount equivalent to C $ 10,000.