"The first paper money on the North American continent was the French card money, a brainchild of the Canadian Intendant Jacques de Meulles. In 1685, he arranged to have ordinary game cards cut into quarters, each quarter was stamped with the French crown and lilly symbol, then signed by the governor, intendant, and treasurer of Quebec. The people were ordered to accept this makeshift money as valid tender."
From Early Chicago (2000)
Ulrich Danckers & Jane Meredith
earlychicago.com
Sunday, March 12, 2006
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3 comments:
I love this picture.... and the very cool factoid about the money... Did you take the picture first? Or learn about the French Card Money?
pic came first, oddly enough -- just found out about the money today after I picked up the Early Chicago book at a lecture by the author. it's loaded with gems -- I suspect I'll be posting more along the way.
Learn something new everyday.
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