Salt Spring dollar
Encyclopedia
The Salt Spring Dollar is a local currency
issued by the Salt Spring Island Monetary Foundation to promote local history, art and goodwill on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
, Canada
.
: "How I wish that somewhere there existed an Island for those who are wise and of good will! In such a place even I would be an ardent patriot." In the centre exists a landscape shot of select locations on the island. The reverse of the bills feature paintings from local artists including Robert Bateman
.
Salt Spring Dollar is exchanged at par with the Canadian dollar
, and used at most businesses throughout the island. They were given the distinct symbol $$, to denote Salt Spring Island Issued. The Salt Spring Island Monetary Foundation backs the currency with Canadian dollars.
Local currency
In economics, a local currency, in its common usage, is a currency not backed by a national government , and intended to trade only in a small area. As a tool of fiscal localism, local moneys can raise awareness of the state of the local economy, especially among those who may be unfamiliar or...
issued by the Salt Spring Island Monetary Foundation to promote local history, art and goodwill on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
History
Roundtable discussions of the Sustainable Salt Spring Island Coalition examined the possible establishment of a local currency in the fall of 2000. In July 2001, the Salt Spring Island Monetary Foundation was established and registered with the Province of British Columbia. The first issuance of the currency taking place in September 2001. In 2006, the Spring Island Monetary Foundation began planning their first silver coin edition. The first coins were minted and issued in December 2007.Currency
Bills were, and still are, issued in $$1, $$2, $$5, $$10, $$20, $$50, and $$100 denominations. Each bears the image of a distinct figure from Salt Spring history, such as Henry Wright Bullock ($$1 bill), Matilda Naukana Harris ($$2 bill), or Sylvia Stark ($$5 bill). Along with the figure is a quote by Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
: "How I wish that somewhere there existed an Island for those who are wise and of good will! In such a place even I would be an ardent patriot." In the centre exists a landscape shot of select locations on the island. The reverse of the bills feature paintings from local artists including Robert Bateman
Robert Bateman (naturalist)
Robert Bateman, OC, OBC is a Canadian naturalist and painter, born in Toronto, Ontario.Bateman was always interested in art, but he never intended on making a living from it. He was fascinated by the natural world in his childhood; he recorded the sightings of all of the birds in the area of his...
.
Salt Spring Dollar is exchanged at par with the Canadian dollar
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
, and used at most businesses throughout the island. They were given the distinct symbol $$, to denote Salt Spring Island Issued. The Salt Spring Island Monetary Foundation backs the currency with Canadian dollars.