Sorry, your comment about being "free" made me wince so I have do a quick history lesson for my own sanity;
Canada gained independence in 1867 and was indeed a confederated nation by then. It was certainly free though acted in concert with the UK for some time in regards to foreign policy. Recall, the US had made an effort to conquer Canada only 55 years prior to this and failed miserably so ties were close but still a little frosty. Nothing like a bunch of drunk farmers with a few British officers marching up and down your coast to change Washington politicians minds. I'm sure the blockade of Washington by the Imperial fleet and subsequent sacking and burning of the White House also helped them decide we should be able to keep the ice and snow for ourselves. Did you hear me? That's MY polar bear... buzz off! Later, the sheer reality of economic inter-dependance along the border mandated closer ties and cooperation which we see to this day. This is why one of the first Canadian currency laws forbid the melting of US dollars ; they were used here as trade units and removing them from circulation would have hurt trade with the US.
I am given to understand that these shinplasters were printed for two reason 1)to stem the influx of American currency 2) to make up for the shortfall in Canadian coins. There were three issues with some variances in each issue 1870, 1900, 1923.
Some quotes from the web and Charletons;
Shinplasters refer to the fractional currency that was first introduced to Canada in 1870. 25-cent notes were printed as a temporary solution to the shortage of Canadian coin. The issue became so popular with the public that the it remained in circulation for many years. Shinplaster issues were also done for the years 1900 and 1923.
"Many attribute the expression 'shinplaster' to the use of fractional U.S. notes by soldiers of the Revolutionary War period to prevent their boots from chafing. The term was first used in Canada with reference to the merchants' scrip which appeared in abundance in 1837-38. Subsequently, it came to be applied to 25-cent Dominion of Canada notes from the time of their first appearance in 1870." ...taken from the The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Government Paper Money, 8th edition, 1995, p. 80.
Value in fine condition is up to 12 dollars or thereabouts.
Samples and images may be seen at
https://www.jandm.com/script/getite...D=11&PID=175
Posted 05/08/2011 2:21 pm
