Playing Cards Money - The Jack of Hearts, a 2008 silver proof 15 dollar coin from Canada.

 

This 2008 silver proof $15 coin is the first in the Playing Cards Money series, and features the Jack of Hearts. It's a unique showcase of a fascinating era in New France reflecting the popularity of card games and the unique initiatives undertaken to support a growing colony.

Playing card money was used by the governor in the 17th and 18th centuries when there was a coin shortage. The colony was months away from France, isolated by winter ice and the Atlantic Ocean, so everything was scarce, including coins! Still, merchants, civil servants and soldiers had to be paid. In a desperate move to keep daily transactions flowing, the governor began issuing playing cards with a written promise to pay what was owed when the next shipment of coins arrived from France. Historic records show that cards were cut into halves or quarters and had their corners clipped to reflect different values. Playing card money was first issued in 1685. Despite the king’s displeasure, authorities continued to implement this temporary measure whenever their colony faced a coin shortage. In 1729, they began using plain card stock which circulated like modern bank notes until New France fell to the British in 1759.

This colorful gold-plated coin is the first rectangular-shaped coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint. The 2008 Queen of Spades will follow, then the 2009 Ten of Spades and, finally, the 2009 King of Hearts will end this colorful and unique series of playing cards silver coins.