STRANGE THINGS USED AS CURRENCY

RAI STONES

These huge wheel like pieces of rock from the island of Palau were

transported to the island of Yap by canoe to be used as currency.

The most valuable pieces were the ones that caused the most

deaths during transport.

SALT

In Roman times this was a very precious commodity.

Even our word “salary” is derived from the Latin word

for salt, “salarium”.

CANDY

When Argentina ran out of coins in 2008 people used tootsie

rolls or other small candies instead.

ONES AND ZEROS

We’re talking about digital currency here, the most famous of

which has been Bitcoins.

RECIEPTS

In what was possibly the start of paper currency, traders in China

used to use receipts for copper instead of the copper itself.

PEPPERCORN

For similar reasons to why the Romans traded salt, other regions

traded pepper. In fact, when Attila the Hun besieged Rome he

apparently demanded a ransom of pepper.

BEAVER PELTS

These were often used to facilitate trade between Europeans and

Native Americans. It was one of the few things that both sides

found to be highly valuable.

PAYPHONE TOKENS

In many parts of Africa where inflation is rampant and local currency

has lost its value, mobile phone credit has become the

currency of choice.

HEMP

Until the 20th century it was actually America’s largest cash crop and

was grown for numerous uses including rope, sails, paper, and clothing.

In fact, the first draft of the constitution was written on hemp.

Perhaps it’s no wonder that it was used as currency.