Numbering of Canadian bank notes

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Numbering of Canadian bank notes

The first prefix letter indicates the printer:
A, B, C, D is for BA.
E, F, G, H is for CBN.

The second letter is a denomination letter:
$5: A, B, C, N, O, P.
$10: D, E, F, G, T.
$20: I, L, R, S, U, V, W, Y, Z.
$50: H, M.
$100: J, K.

The third letter indicates the series:
letters A through Z are used, except for I, O, Q, and X (eventhough CBN sometimes does use the letter I).

There are lots of exceptions to the above, but this data is generally accurate for current banknotes.

A, B, C, F, G, M, K, L, R and U were all previously used on now-defunct denominations, but have been re-purposed to current denominations.

Further, there are several series that have been completely reused (that is, the entire prefix).  For example, AAA-AAZ was originally used on the 1973 $1s, but is being reused on the 2006 $5s.  ALA-ALZ and ARA-ARZ are two other examples now being reused on the 2004 $20s.  Our new polymer $100s started with EKA, a prefix that was originally used on the Birds $1000 notes.

Let's not forget EYF, the prefix of Birds $20s that was printed by BAI.

I could go on, but as I said, the above data is generally accurate for current issues.