New France livre
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The livre was the currency of New France, the French colony in modern-day Canada. It was subdivided into 20 sols, each of 12 deniers. The New France livre was a French colonial currency, distinguished by the use of paper money.
History
After an initial period during which barter prevailed, the
Coins
A variety of coins circulated in New France, including
Banknotes
In 1685, "card money" was introduced. These were simple notes, hand written on the back of playing cards, which were used due to a shortage of coins. The first issue was redeemed after 3 months. Despite the French authorities' displeasure, further issues were made into the 1690s. Inflation reduced the card money's value, until it was redeemed at half face value in 1717.
In the 1720s, the government introduced promissory notes, known as ordonances. Card money was reintroduced in 1729. Denominations of 6, 12 and 24 livres were issued in 1729, followed by 30 sols in 1733, 20 sols in 1734, 3 livres in 1742, and 7+1⁄2 and 15 sols in 1749. In 1753, treasury notes were introduced (also known as ordonances). 48-livre notes were introduced in 1753, followed by 20 sols in 1754, 3 and 24 livres in 1756, 12 and 96 livres in 1757, and 6 livres in 1758.
References
- ^ A History of the Canadian Dollar Archived 2007-11-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Pick, Albert (1990). ISBN 0-87341-149-8.