Have you ever really thought about the history of paper money?
Paper notes were first printed by the Chinese, during the Tang Dynasty, but most countries didn't start using banknotes until at least the 17th century.
In fact, all over the world, instead of printing banknotes and coins, many cultures used the resources they had on hand to create their own localized currencies.
Many of the goods that were once used as currency are items that you can find in nature or even in your kitchen. You'd be amazed what was once able to buy a horse — or even an entire hut in some civilizations.
While these items now hold little monetary value, it's amazing to look back and see what people once traded as currency. All of the 10 items below were once highly coveted means of trading, and you may have some of them on you right now!
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Thumbnail Photo: Wikimedia / Wittylama
1. Salt
Because the production of salt was limited, the table condiment was used in ancient times as a means of trade.
In fact, the word "salary" is derived from the Latin word "salarium", which in ancient Rome meant the amount of money given to a soldier to buy salt.
2. Squirrel Pelts
Squirrel pelts were used in Russia and Finland as a means of trade during the Middle Ages. The snouts and claws of squirrels were even used as pocket change!
3. Cocoa Beans
Since cacao trees are difficult to grow and their yield is sparse, the Maya and Aztecs used cocoa beans as one of their first means of exchange.
In 1555, it was declared that one Spanish real was equivalent to 140 cocoa beans. The use of cocoa beans eventually spread to the areas that now make up central South America and were used until the beginning of the 19th century.
4. Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese has been used for trading and loans since the Middle Ages. The cheese's aging process takes years, and each wheel contains the equivalent of 145 gallons of milk.
At the Credito Emiliano in Italy, cheesemakers recently earned the right to use parmesan as collateral for loans, helping to boost the local economy.
5. Cowry Shells
Surprisingly, the cowry shell was used as a unit of currency up until the 20th century.
This method of payment was accepted everywhere from Asia to Africa, and for a while this oddly shaped shell was the most common currency in the Old World.
Unlike Parmesan cheese or cocoa beans, cowry shells never go bad, are easy to transport, and aren't damaged when passed through many hands, making them a good form of currency.
6. Candy
When Buenos Aires literally ran out of coins in 2008, shop owners started to give candy to customers as change.
7. Potato Mashers
In the area known today as the Republic of Cameroon, the Bafia people used potato mashers as currency for important transactions. These ancient kitchen tools were made of iron and weighed an average of 11 pounds.
8. Whale Teeth
On the Fiji islands, sperm whale teeth, or tambua, are a sacred form of currency, valued more than any other traded good.
In the 19th century, a whale tooth was enough to purchase a bride, serving the same significance as an engagement ring does now.
9. Tea Bricks
Up until the 20th century, as late as World War II, tea bricks were used as currency in China, Mongolia, Siberia, and other Asian countries. The bricks were heavy when carried in bulk, however, and a camel was required to carry the bricks for a large purchase.
10. Rai Stones
Rai stones are quite possibly the heaviest and largest form of currency in history, with a non-portable weight of up to eight tons.
These limestone discs were once traded on the island of Yap by the Yapanese people. Since the discs are too heavy to move, a trade occurred simply by agreeing with someone that you would give them ownership of your stone, and the transaction would be recorded in oral history.
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