DCHP-1 Online

Halifax currency Hist.

• a standard of exchange which served as a system of account in colonial times, being officially adopted in Lower Canada and later in Upper Canada, where York Currency had long predominated.

  See also: provincial currency  

  • 1764  Every Subscriber shall pay Six-pence per Week, Halifax Currency.
  • 1836  The only metallic currency which this ill-fated colony can boast, is what is termed Halifax Currency--falsely so called--for Halifax, either has no currency of its own, or, if it has, it does not find its way here--the only currency we can boast of is, what the law terms, "Cours Actuel."
  • 1963  In 1777 Halifax currency was established as the official standard of the colony of Canada, but York currency continued in use in Montreal and in what was then known as Upper Canada. Later when Canada was formally divided into two provinces, Upper and Lower Canada, each was given jurisdiction over its own currency and York currency enjoyed recognition in Upper Canada. In 1821 the York unit was replaced by Halifax currency although it continued for many years as a popular unit of account with the rural population.