Canadians honour late Leonard Nimoy by ‘Spocking’ national currency

LEONARD Nimoy was an American, so we’re not quite sure why Canadians are doing this to their currency. But it’s the best tribute we’ve seen.

LEONARD Nimoy was an American but Canadians are honouring his memory best.

The actor who played Mr Spock of Star Trek fame has turned up everywhere since America’s northern cousins began defacing their national currency with images of the half-Vulcan cult hero.

“Spocking”, as it has been termed, is the action of drawing Spock’s pointy ears, sharp eyebrows and signature bowl haircut on the face of former Canadian PM Wilfred Laurier.

In Canada they are 'Spocking' their fivers. pic.twitter.com/UJ0DWLYakH

— Big Eater (@BigEater) March 3, 2015

This is great. Bank of Canada asking people to stop 'Spocking' $5 bills. It's not illegal tho. http://t.co/x15WzUKTV1 pic.twitter.com/SCyfjKLPQl

— David Cochrane (@davidcochrane) March 3, 2015

Canadian bills are perfect for spocking. LL&P pic.twitter.com/OM6i60c9Hf

— Andrew Rader (@marsrader) March 3, 2015

Canadians have been doing just that for years, even before the 83-year-old died from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in his Los Angeles home. His death, however, has seen the trend spike to the point where the Canadian central bank has been forced to intervene.

Spokeswoman Josianne Menard said on Wednesday that scribbling on bills was an insult to Canada because pen-weilding trekkies were effectively defacing a symbol of national pride.

Nimoy as Mr. Spock.

That famous bowlcut.

Nimoy died Friday, aged 83. Pictured here in 2006. Picture: Ric Francis.

“The Bank of Canada feels that writing and markings on bank notes are inappropriate as they are a symbol of our country,” she wrote in an email to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

She said retailers could reject the currency but there are no laws prohibiting people from defacing or mutilating banknotes.

Other Nimoy tributes have followed, including one from astronaut Terry Virts whose tweet of the Vulcan salute from space was retweeted more than 40,000 times.

pic.twitter.com/ErjTLgCIrL

— Terry W. Virts (@AstroTerry) February 28, 2015