Of special interest to coin and bill collectors, as well as history buffs and students, is this clear, concise and intriguing explanation of the various coins and currencies used in Canada between 1600 and 1900. Covering the French, British, and Canadian periods of our history, the wide range of currencies used is explained: livres, pounds, playing cards, louis d’ors, eagles, shillings and dollars among others. Divided into geographical sections, each area of Canada, from Newfoundland to the West, the ever-changing conditions of money and exchange is covered in detail. The concluding chapter brings together each of these threads and weaves a unified picture of the early Canadian monetary system. Aided by a generous selection of illustrations, figures and tables, A.B. McCullough has written a comprehensive guide to our monetary history that is both useful and interesting.

This is a timely review of the gold standard covering the 110 years of its operation until 1931, when Britain abandoned it in the midst of the Depression. Current dissatisfaction with floating rates of exchange has spurred interest in a return to a commodity standard. The studies in this volume were designed to gain a better understanding of the historical gold standard, but they also throw light on the question of whether restoring it today could help cure inflation, high interest rates, and low productivity growth. The volume includes a review of the literature on the classical gold standard; studies the experience with gold in England, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Canada; and perspectives on international linkages and the stability of price-level trends under the gold standard. The articles and commentaries reflect strong, conflicting views among hte participants on issues of central bank behavior, purchasing-power an interest-rate parity, independent monetary policies, economic growth, the "Atlantic economy," and trends in commodity prices and long-term interest rates. This is a thoughtful and provocative book.