Canadian fans of the late Leonard Nimoy have angered the Bank of Canada by defacing their $5 notes in tribute to Mr Spock.

The image of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who was the seventh prime minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911, has long been altered to look like Nimoy’s iconic Star Trek character.

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But Nimoy’s death last week from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has ushered in a new rash of defaced notes, causing the Bank of Canada to speak out.

And they’re not too happy about it.

Spokeswoman Josianne Menard has urged Trekkies to curtail the ‘spocking’ their $5 notes.

A statement read: “It is not illegal to write or make other markings on bank notes. However, there are important reasons why it should not be done.

“Writing on a bank note may interfere with the security features and reduces its lifespan. Markings on a note may also prevent it from being accepted in a transaction.

“Furthermore, the Bank of Canada feels that writing and markings on bank notes are inappropriate as they are a symbol of our country and a source of national pride.

“Canadians can help keep their bank notes in good condition so they circulate longer (e.g., by placing them in a wallet and avoiding defacing, misusing, stapling, creasing or crumpling them).”

Since Nimoy’s death, social media has been awash with pictures of Laurier’s transformation into Spock, with a group called Canadian Design Resource actively campaigning for fans to spock their fivers as a mark of respect.

There’s even a Facebook page called ‘Spocking Fives’ dedicated to the practice, which was set up in 2008.

“This page is to celebrate the Canadian cultural phenomenon, known to some as the ‘Spock five’.

“The origins of this mysterious tradition are shrouded in secrecy, although it is widely believed to be totally awesome,” it says.



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Image credits: Facebook/Twitter