2009 - $15 Sterling Silver Coin – Ten of Spades

There was a time when playing cards were valued like regular bank notes—and this Ten of Spades from 18th-century New France was one of them; it was also a clever way for authorities to keep their colony working despite chronic coin shortages.

Even more clever is how this intriguing coin preserves the playing card's rectangular shape and is embellished with colour and selective gold plating along its edge—the first time these two stunning effects have been combined in this manner.

Another unique feature of this coin: its “missing” corners. They reflect the practice of clipping cards in order to produce lower denominations. Historians believe the Ten of Spades was valued at forty livres, but as a treasured part of your coin collection, you'll consider it priceless.

Specifications

Mintage 25000
Composition 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper
Finishproof (with selective colour and gold plate on the coin's edge)
Weight (g) 31.56
Diameter (mm)49.8 x 28.6
Edge plain
Certificate serialized
Face value 15 dollars
Artist Henri Beau (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)