For years, Canadians have had a long standing tradition of drawing images of Spock on their $5 banknotes. However, this tradition kicked into high gear following the passing of actor Leonard Nimoy. While at first cool with the prospect, the Canadian government is now asking citizens to put an end to their artful re-interpretation of the nation’s currency.
Canada’s central bank said earlier in the week that it was not illegal to add Spock’s pointy Vulcan ears, sharp eyebrows and signature bowl haircut to the notes.
However, it did encourage citizens to stop their scribbling. Bank spokeswoman Josianne Menard said in an email:
“There are important reasons why it should not be done.”
She went on to explain the bank believed it was “inappropriate” to deface the banknote because it was a “Canadian symbol and source of national pride”. (via Orange)
To be fair to Canada, while they’ve had a lax policy on this in the past, the expedited nature of the trend following the actor’s death simply forced the government’s hand. One or two marked up notes every so often is fine, but this was probably causing hundreds to be in circulation at any given moment. Clearly, the only solution left is to change the bill’s artwork to an actual image of Spock.
Source: Orange