The Royal Canadian Mint recently issued the first of a series of rectangular-shaped coins commemorating the playing card money 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! Historic records show that cards were cut into halves or quarters and had their corners clipped to reflect different values.
The 2008 15 dollar Jack of Hearts coin is the first of a new series. 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.
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