Here are a few interesting forms of currency I found.... If you have any you would like to add, feel free. Enjoy! 1. Rai Stones ----- Micronesian island of Yap 2. Cameroon bottle caps ----- Cameroon 3. Mobile phone minutes ----- Various countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Zimbabwe, and Romania 4. Dolphin Teeth -----The Solomon Islands 5. Wooden Bills ----- Germany 6. Katanga Crosses ----- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
I'd love to have a genuine Katanga Cross - my understanding is they would pour the melted copper into sand molds to make them, I think they are pretty cool. Also, it would be fun to have currency you could bonk a would-be mugger with on the head to make your escape. Here's as close as I get.
I agree. This is indeed an interesting thread. Thanks, @Abramthegreat for initiating it. And @alurid, you have contributed many fascinating additions. I've dabbled in this "primitive money" at times. For example, I obtained a Katanga cross when I lived in Africa, as well as the typical beads, cowrie shells, manillas, etc. Unfortunately, I didn't continue with the collection.
I am quite sure that some of of these thing would be considered Trade Items as opposed to being called Currency which is really just another trade item. This one is a favorite due to the edge punching that have made the layers of the shell separate to form rings.
It is my understanding that the stones are round to make them easier to move; i.e., they can be rolled. It may be that the purpose of the hole in the center is to insert a stick, also to facilitate the movement. Thus it becomes akin to a wheel and an axel.
Even the small ones have holes, so I suppose it became a traditional design. Certainly it's logical that the hole was a means to move them, but once on Yap they rarely moved; ownership was recorded orally and the "money" stayed where it was. There was even one lost at the bottom of the ocean that still changed hands.
Try this link (press CTRL and click on the below): (PDF) The Primitive Money Collection of Col Davidson Part 1 (researchgate.net) Col