The Shortage of Coins in New France
The Shortage of Coins The colonists living in New France from the mid-1660s on used barter to exchange goods but also used metal coins, such as this 15-sol French coin dated 1670. However, there was never enough hard currency to go around. Silver coins that were sent from France were quickly taken from circulation by local merchants, who immediately returned them to France to pay their taxes and to buy European-made commodities. New France, Louis XIV, 15 sols, 1670 Thank you Bank of Canada Museum for these images. The shortage of coins persisted throughout the history of New France.…
