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
[
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]
After an initial period during which barter prevailed, the
French
livre
began to circulate. In order to encourage coins into the colony, those circulating in New France were valued at a premium, creating a
monnoye de pays
(French
monnaie de pays
in
Modern French
) worth less than the French currency (
monnoye de France
,
monnaie de France
in Modern French). The premium was set at one-eighth in 1664, raised to one-third in 1680.
[1]
The New France currency was distinguished by the extensive use of
paper money
. However, early issues did not maintain their value. In 1717, the premium for coins was abolished, the card money was redeemed at half its face value and the New France
livre
was set equal to the French
livre
. Further paper money was issued. In the 1750s, the backing of paper money by coins was discontinued, causing the hoarding of coins. Following the British conquest of New France, the paper money lost its value and the
livre
was replaced by the
pound
.
Coins
[
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]
A variety of coins circulated in New France, including
Spanish dollars
,
Spanish
reales
and
Spanish colonial
reales
. In 1670, silver 5 and 15
sols
were introduced for use in New France. In 1709,
billon
30-
denier
coins were issued in the colony, followed by billon 15
deniers
in 1711. Copper 9
deniers
followed in 1722. In 1738, billon 1- and 2-
sol
coins were introduced in France which also circulated in New France. These coins were also known as
1
⁄
2
and 1
sols marques
.
Banknotes
[
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]
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
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]
External links
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]
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History
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Colonies
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Towns and
villages
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- Acadie
- Canada
- Ile Royale
- Louisiane
- Terre-Neuve
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Forts
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Governments
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- Canada
- Acadie
- Terre-Neuve
- Louisiane
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Laws
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Economy
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Society
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Missionary groups
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Wars
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Currency units named
pound
,
lira
, or similar
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Circulating
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Local alternative currency
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Defunct
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Historical antecedents (mass)
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See also
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