UNUSUAL THINGS USED AS CURRENCY

LOBI SNAKES

The Lobi people were ancient inhabitants of Ghana. In order to

protect themselves from snakes they forged iron snakes that they

would use as a type of mystical “repellent”. These fake snakes were

so valuable that they were eventually adopted as a medium of trade.

KISSI PENNIES

Until recently these long iron poles were used as currency in many

parts of western Africa. If one of the poles broke, the currency was

worthless and only an elaborate ceremony performed by a witch

doctor could bring the value back.

WHALES TEETH

Perhaps not surprisingly, Fijian islands used sperm whale teeth as

currency until recently when they adopted paper notes. In order to

convince the people that the notes were worth anything, the authorities

had whale teeth inscribed on all of them.

KNIVES

As the story goes, about 2500 years ago a Chinese prince let his

Soldiers exchange their knives for goods when money was scarce.

Since then, using knives as money has had somewhat of a

history in China.

MANCHUKO YUAN

The Manchukuo yuan currency was used by Japanese forces during

their occupation of China. It was actually made of red or brown

cardboard between 1944 and 1945 due to the lack of metal.

TIDE DETERGENT

Known as “liquid gold”, for a myriad of reasons the criminal

Underworld has resorted to using Tide as an alternative currency.

THE WORLD'S SMALLEST COIN

Historically speaking the world’s smallest coin was the

Tara of Vijayanagar from India. It was only 4 mm across.

THE WORLD'S LARGEST COIN

Canada has released the largest piece of legal tender in the world.

The $1 million Canadian dollar is made of 99.999% gold

bullion and weighs 220 pounds.