CANADA. French Administration. 24 Livres, 1733. P-S108. PMG Very Fine 25.An exceptionally rare piece of card money, dated 1733 at upper right. 24 Livres was the highest denomination of card money and is known as having been issued in 1729, 1730, 1733, 1735, 1742, and 1749. All card money is rare, and the present issue is no exception, with opportunities to acquire examples presenting itself extremely infrequently. While listed in the Pick specialized catalog they were government issued and they should have been listed in Volume 1. The Charlton catalog lists this issue on page 2, and states "all card money is very rare," making reference to a 2019 sale of a 1729 dated 24 Livres for $38,675 Canadian.<p><p>The economic development of New France was deeply intertwined with its natural resources and geographic advantages, which played a pivotal role in its growth. The fur trade emerged as the colonys primary economic driver, creating lucrative markets and fostering trade networks that connected the St. Lawrence River region to Europe. Strategic trading posts, such as Quebec City (where this was issued) and Montreal, became vital hubs for commerce and the transportation of goods.<p>However, lack of circulating coinage was a persistent problem, and often deterred economic growth. In the late 17th century, a solution was found by using playing cards, signed and dated. While initially disapproved by the French King, the playing cards brought temporary relief. When the French crown started redeeming the cards for silver coin at 50% of their face value, the cards disappeared from circulation, and by 1720 no more playing cards were in circulation. Lack of coinage continued to plague the colony, and in 1729 a new series of cards was issued, which would include the present example. This time, the French King approved of the cards, and the public accepted them at a large scale, although hoarding was a persistent problem. After the fall of New France in 1763 the notes were redeemed at a quarter of their face value.<p>A tremendous Canadian rarity from the countrys earliest days and a historic survivor. Previously from the Peter Broeker collection. This lot includes a copy of a letter sent to Mr. Broeker by the Bank of Canada in 1975 confirming the authenticity of this piece.
