National Currency Collection

Canada, French Colonial Authorities, 12 livres : 1749

Story

Money is in the eye of the beholder

In 1685, the garrisons of New France found themselves short of the French coinage needed to pay their soldiers. An ingenious solution was proposed: use playing cards as paper money. At first these were merely certificates redeemable for cash whenever said cash might arrive from France. However, after the third cash shortage incident, not all of the playing cards were redeemed but stayed in circulation. In this way, France was able to extend its expenditures while the kings, queens and aces began to function like real ‘jack’.

Item Details

Categorization

Collection
Note
Class
Government
Name
Colonial
Form
Issued

Locations

Country
Canada
District
New France
City
Quebec

Denominations

12 livres

Dates

Issuing date
1749

Period Events

Period
French Regime

Authorities

Issuing authority
French Colonial Authorities

Designs

Subject
Card money

Materials

Object
Card

30 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G9, CANADA
613‑782‑8914