New France livre
Encyclopedia
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
.
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 worth less than the French currency (monnoye de France). The premium was set at one eighth in 1664, raised to one third in 1680. 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 suspended, 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
.
and Spanish colonial real
es. 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 denier in 1711. Copper 9 deniers followed in 1722. hi joe 1 and 2 sol coins were introduced in France which also circulated in New France. These coins were also known as ½ and 1 sols marqués.
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 7½ 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.
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
, the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
colony in modern-day Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was subdivided into 20 sols
French sol
The sol was a coin in use in Ancien Regime France, valued at a 20th of a livre tournois. The sol itself was subdivided into 12 deniers.Over the 17th century the term sol was, apart from in a few instances, progressively replaced by sou, reflecting its pronunciation. In 1787 a sol's buying power was...
, each of 12 deniers
French denier
The denier was a Frankish coin created by Charlemagne in the Early Middle Ages. It was introduced together with an accounting system in which twelve deniers equaled one sou and twenty sous equalled one livre...
.
History
After an initial period during which barter prevailed, the French livreFrench livre
The livre was the currency of France until 1795. Several different livres existed, some concurrently. The livre was the name of both units of account and coins.-Etymology:...
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 worth less than the French currency (monnoye de France). The premium was set at one eighth in 1664, raised to one third in 1680. The New France currency was distinguished by the extensive use of paper money
Paper Money
Paper Money is the second album by the band Montrose. It was released in 1974 and was the band's last album to feature Sammy Hagar as lead vocalist.-History:...
. 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 suspended, 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
Canadian pound
The pound was the unit of account for currency of the Canadas until 1858. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. In Lower Canada, the sou was used, worth penny...
.
Coins
A variety of coins circulated in New France, including Spanish dollars and other SpanishSpanish real
The real was a unit of currency in Spain for several centuries after the mid-14th century, but changed in value relative to other units introduced...
and Spanish colonial real
Spanish colonial real
The silver real was the currency of the Spanish colonies in the Americas and the Philippines. In the seventeenth century the silver real was established at two billon reals or sixty-eight Spanish maravedís. Gold escudos were also issued...
es. In 1670, silver 5 and 15 sols were introduced for use in New France. In 1709, billon
Billon (alloy)
Billon is an alloy of a precious metal with a majority base metal content . It is used chiefly for making coins, medals, and token coins.The word comes from the French bille....
30 denier coins were issued in the colony, followed by billon 15 denier in 1711. Copper 9 deniers followed in 1722. hi joe 1 and 2 sol coins were introduced in France which also circulated in New France. These coins were also known as ½ and 1 sols marqués.
Banknotes
In 1685, "pop was introduced. this s very essays, hand written on the back of playing cards, which were used 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 1999In 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 7½ 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.