Salt Spring dollar

About
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.

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 Einstein: "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.

Related

 * alternative currency/CA

Reference

 * article deleted 2011-04-09 03:03 by wikipedia:User:SchuminWeb; much of the text here was copied from a cache of that page

Official

 * home page