Until 1834 French money was used in Jersey. Livres tournois, sous and liards, all rattled around in pockets or were kept in a jar hidden up the chimney.

In the early 1700s the States realised that gold and silver coins were disappearing and the island was being flooded with copper liards. They tried to put a stop to this by restricting what coins could be brought into or taken out of Jersey.

Gold was still scarce in 1726 when the States asked the Privy Council for permission to reduce the value of the liard from a quarter to one sixth of a sou. When this was granted in 1729 islanders were furious as they saw the value of their savings reduced by a third. They saw it as a trick to steal money from the common people.

At the end of the year François Marret asked the Council to repeal their decision but was unsuccessful. The following summer the mob smashed the windows of the Lieutenant Bailiff's house and invaded the States building. Even when the States restored the liard to its old value the rioting continued. The Dean and other States members were forced to seek safety in Elizabeth Castle before fleeing to England.