World's First Money: Cowrie Shells

The first unit of currency was the cowrie shell—an actual shell, found in plenty in the Maldives, and used in Asia and Africa until the 19th century. In New Guinea especially, the shells held almost mystical power among the natives; among certain tribes there, shells like these were literally worth their weight in gold. No one knows why the cowrie in particular was chosen as currency, but its influence was not limited to primitive tribes. Early Chinese coins were cast to look like cowrie shells, indicating that in China, too, the shells were used as currency. These five cowrie shells represent a week’s wages for a laborer.
The first unit of currency was the cowrie shell—an actual shell, found in plenty in the Maldives, and used in Asia and Africa until the 19th century. In New Guinea especially, the shells held almost mystical power among the natives; among certain tribes there, shells like these were literally worth their weight in gold. No one knows why the cowrie in particular was chosen as currency, but its influence was not limited to primitive tribes. Early Chinese coins were cast to look like cowrie shells, indicating that in China, too, the shells were used as currency. These five cowrie shells represent a week’s wages for a laborer.

World's First Money: Cowrie Shells

Dealer lot of one (1) Dutch medal, celebrating the 40th year of Queen Wilhelmina's reign (1938).

his/ - Wikipedia Jannies Losing It Over the History of the Chair Article - History & Humanities - 4chan

Bitcoin Token (in capsule)

Paying With Shells: Cowrie Shell Money Is One of the Oldest

PDF) Ancient Money in Southeast Asia: Part 2

his/ - Wikipedia Jannies Losing It Over the History of the Chair Article - History & Humanities - 4chan

Principles of Macroeconomics 2e, Money and Banking, Introduction

MV 1900 World's First Money : Cowrie Shells - Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) Included Circulated Coin : Everything Else

Catchy Collections

Dealer lot of one (1) medal from the Paris International Expo 1937.

Dealer lot of one (1) French medal commemorating chemist A. Lavoisier.

Dealer lot of two (2) Russian medals featuring famous Russians on their 150th birthdays.

Medieval India, Vijayanagara Empire (1336 -1646 CE), Bele, The World's Smallest Gold Coin