Leonard Nimoy: Bank of Canada urges Star Trek fans to stop 'spocking' five dollar notes

The actor died from chronic lung disease on Friday

Images of Leonard Nimoy began appearing on Canadian currency with increasing regularity following his death from lung disease on Friday.

Star Trek fans updated the portrait of Canada’s seventh prime minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier on five dollar notes so it possessed pointy ears, sharp eyebrows and the signature Vulcan haircut alongside the “Live long and prosper” mantra in a trend called ‘spocking’.

But the Bank of Canada have since issued the following complaint, saying that while defacing currency isn’t illegal, there are “important reasons it should not be done”.

Toronto Sun

“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.”