The livre was the currency of New France, the French colony in modern-day Canada.
The New France livre was a French colonial currency, distinguished by the use of paper money.
After an initial period during which barter prevailed, the French livre began to circulate.
Following the British conquest of New France, the paper money lost its value and the livre was replaced by the pound.
These were simple notes, hand written on the back of playing cards, which were used due to a shortage of coins.