Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;snaz, post: 338676, member: 11315&quot;]oh yah...&nbsp;&nbsp; Well did you know this!!?:goofer::goofer::goofer:</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Desperate for funds to pay the troops stationed in France, the intendant wrote pledges on the backs of playing cards in June 1685. Because of the illiteracy of the inhabitants, teh cards were cut in halves or quarters to assist in the recognition of denominations - four livres on a whole card, two livres on a half and 15 sols on a quarter card. When specie arrived from France in September, the playing cards were all redeemed.</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Despite the King&#039;s disapproval 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 issue it again and again. At first the system worked well, the playing cards being promptly redeemed. After 1700 the French Treasury was often unable to pay the amounts appropriate for New France, and the shortfall had to be made up by more playing card money, with no immediate prospect of redemption. Inflation was the predictable result. In 1714 the King of France offered to redeem the playing card money at 50% of its face value, in silver. By 1720 virtually all of the playing cards had been redeemed and burned, and any not turned in for redemption were proclaimed worthless. Over the next ten years no card money circulated in New France. Coin was scarce because it was horded by the habitants rather than lent out at an interest, &quot;usury&quot; being offensive to their religious beliefs. The colony was once again plagued by the lack of a circulating currency.</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Playing Card money (1685-1719)&nbsp; Quebec city</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.quebecoislibre.org/06/cardtop.jpg" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.quebecoislibre.org/06/cardtop.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.quebecoislibre.org/06/cardtop.jpg</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.quebecoislibre.org/06/cardback.jpg" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.quebecoislibre.org/06/cardback.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.quebecoislibre.org/06/cardback.jpg</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; quote: A Charlton Standard Catalogue</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Canadian Government Paper money</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 20th edition 2008[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in