HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-09-08, Page 5•
A deck of playing cards
is a reflection of
Canada's early economy
by Marsha Boulton
NEW ,FRANCE, 1684 - Why
was a deck of playing cards worth
a lot of money in New France?
If you knew that the first Inten-
dant of the colony, Jacques de
Meulles, used playing cards as
currency when coins were in scarce
supply, you may also know that
animal hides were an alternative
form 'of legal tender.
Although Europeans were using
paper money backed by gold bul-
lion in the 17th century, colonists in
New France relied largely on the
barter system. Such trading was
formalized in September, 1670,
when a decree issued by the
Sovereign Council set a standard
for measuring the value of beaver
pelts, moose hides and other furs,
one blanket could be purchased for
eight wildcat pelts. Most of the
settlers • were subsistence farmers.
They traded their goods and ser-
vices for whatever necessities they
required.
Members of the garrison were
paid in coins which were sent from
France, and in 1670 silver and
copper coins were minted for
specific use in New France.
In the spring of 1684, the French
government neglected to, ship coins.
This left de Meulles in an uncom-
fortable position. Since the Men
under his command were kept busy
with their military responsibilities,
they did not have pelts to pay for
their board and lodging.
In deSperation,.de Meulles deter:
mined- to issue .paper money based
on playing cards endorsed by him,
which would be redeemable the
following year when coins would
surely arrive. It wasa bold gamble,.
but one that paid off.
Card playing. was 'a popular
activity in the barracks of Quebec
City, where active games of "maw"
involved elaborately illustrated -
cards -with names 'such as Tiddy,
Gleek, Tup-tup and Towser.
De Meulles collected decks of
cards and cut each one into four
STAG]
PROJECT
pieces, which he marked and
stamped as "good" for specific
amounts of currency under his seal
and signature.
This imaginative solution to a
shortage of coin worked quite well
for many years and suffered
vagaries typical of modern paper
money, including a devaluation to
half its face value in 1719. Thirty
years later, the King of France
authorized the issue of card money
to be increased from 710,000 to one
million livres.
The conclusion of the Seven
Year's War in 1763, saw an end to
playing card currency in favor of
British sterling. A hodgepodge of
currency followed including Nova
Scotia provincial money, american
dollars, Spanish dollars and U.S.
gold coins, and "army bills" which
were used by the British to pur-
chase supplies during the War of
1812.
Paper 'money was introduced in
1792 by the Canada Banking Com-
pany, but it lacked a certain
credibility. It was considered to be
about as valuable as. a U.S. con-
tinental dollar, which was virtually
worthless at the time.
In 1837, William Lyon Macken-
zie signed the first $10 note issued •
by the provisional government of
Upper Canada. Swindlers issuing"
bogus but colorful three -dollar notes
were quick tQ,. follow.
Bank notes which were not
backed by gold did notbecome
legal tender throughout 'Canada
until August 3, 1914, the.day before
Britain declared war on Germany.
The rest is a crumpled history of
bills folded. in wallets at values
dictated by global circumstance. In
this nation, it all started with a deck
of cards:
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Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, September 8, 1993 - Page 5
BOOKING NOW
FOR FALL TUNINGS
TIM EATON
PIANO SERVICE
• TUNING - REPAIRS
;REGULATING
Bachelor. of
Musical Ans
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)NrARIO
HANG rcCHM0Ar
1-353-5553
7 30 air 9:00 pm
Mon - Sat.
SOME KNOW HOW TO GROW THEM BIG — Peter Van Ee, of RR
3, Holyrood, tries to measure the sunflower which stands close
to 11 feet high on his property. This is his first time growing
sunflowers; and, he says a little water and a little fertalizer can
go a long way. (Debbie Davidson photo)
International Plowing Match
& Farm Machinery Show
September 21 to 25, 1993
Walkerton, Bruce County
r O *P1avtex
*Wonderbra
*Daisyfresh
off *Lingerie
September 71h-11t.1t
1,L
ICKNOW
eeVee's
Fashion
MasterCard.
528-3320 )20
Come
Join
The
Parade
12:00 NOON
Saturday Sept. 18/93• .
THEIIJ�E
"STRIKE IT RICH"
3'at"fide entries -in the "spirit of
the theme" wit place over others
which are not.
PLEASE NOTE GATHERING
TIMES AND PLACES.
Best Decorate& Bicycle,
Tricycle, Doll Carriage or
Wagon or Best. Costumed Dog
and'Owner:
PRIZES $3., $2.,, $1., 50c & 25c.
..Entries will gather at Shell
Garage by 11:30 a.m. to be
judged.
Best Costumed Rider On A
Decorated Horse or Pony
PRIZES $15., $10. in each
section.
Horse Hitches In The Parade
Team $15., 4 Horse Hitch $25.
-All teams must register at the
Heavy Horse Ring 4 horse
teams must have a walker to
collect prize money.
ALL horses, teams and horse
drawn entries gather behind the
Sepoy Apts. (Walker St.) by
11:30 a.m.
Best Couple • In .Period
Costumes
Best Child Clown In Parade
PRIZES $5.; $3., $2., and $1. to
other. entries
Most Original Entry on Foot •
PRIZ-ES $10., $7., $5.
' •Entries travelling on foot gather
at Pegg •Const. Bldg. to be
judged at 11:45 a.m.
Most Original Entry in Parade,
-Ilfioi—orized--orHarse-Drawn
PRIZES $15., $10.
Decorated Car or -Truck •
PRIZES $10., $7., $5., $3., in
each class
Antique Car/Tractor Prior To
1958
PRIZES $25., $20., $15.
Antique Car/Tractor Prior To
1960 `
PRIZES $15., $12., $8., $5.
FLOATS - NOTE: A Car Is Not
Considered A Float
PRIZES $25., $20., $15., unless
otherwise stated,
- Elementary School Float -
tourth place $10.
-- Family Float
- Youth Organization Float
= Best Society Flbat
- Best Comic Float
- Best Commercial. Float,
- Best Patriotic Float
Best Team Drawn Float
PRIZES $25., $15., M.
All motorized entries in the
parade will gather at Boyle's (#86
east of town) by 11:00 a.m. when
preliminary judging will
commence.