First paper money in our country

Hello Bob. Here is a very brief history of the first form of paper money to circulate in Canada. Please consider it for an article in your blog.

( my hobby is collecting coins & banknotes)

Thanks, Joe

Playing Card Money - 1685 - 1719, Quebec City.

In June of 1685, the French colonial authorities of New France issued what is considered to be the first paper currency in North America. Faced with a shortage of coins for which to pay the troops of New France , the Intendant, wrote pledges on the backs of playing cards. Because of the illiteracy of the inhabitants, the cards were cut in halves or quarters to help in the recognition of denominations. When supply ships arrived from France in September, the playing cards were redeemed. At At first the system worked well, however, dispite the King of France disapproving of the practice of issuing card money, the failure of the supply ships to arrive on time or at all, forced the Colonial administration to resort to issuing card money again and again.

In 1714 the King offered to redeem the playing card money at 50 percent of its' face value. By 1720 virtually all of the playing card money had been redeemed and burned and any not turned in for redemption we were proclaimed worthless. Over the next ten years no card money circulated in New France. By 1729, a severe shortage of coins forced the resumption of the issue of paper currency, this time sanctioned by the King. The new "card money" was on plain white cardboard instead of playing cards and was followed by further issues, with the last in 1757. The 'card money' was issued in various denominations, with each denomination having its own distinctive shape.

 

Denomonation:  Issue date:

15 sols               1747, 1749, 1757 

20 sols               1734

30 sols              1733, 1738, 1752, 1757

3 livres             1742, 1747, 1749 (quarter card)

6 livres             1729, 1738, 1749

12 livres           1729, 1730, 1733, 1735, 1742, 1747, 1749

24 livres           1729, 1730, 1733, 1735, 1742, 1749

 

Thanks Joe Y .... very informative .... I enjoy both history and old coins ... I'm sure many of my readers will be interested as well