These are descriptions to the categories I publicized on 15-Nov-10. 1. Precoins 1a. Protocurrencies 1b. Protocoins Protocurrencies Protocurrencies, as the name suggests, are what was used before the invention of money, and was used to assist in bartering. Protocurrencies were often (if not always) weight items of any size or shape possible, but of a specific weight, that allowed one to measure an easily quantifiable bartered good in trade. These protocurrencies were used to measure precise amounts of grain, which many of the first civilizations of the world have used as money because they were universally used and accepted within these civilizations for many centuries; and these protocurrency weights were very trustworthy. Eventually however, these protocurrencies, due to their trustworthiness, became to be used as money. Protocoins As the name suggests, protocoins were what was used as the first form of money before the invention of actual coinage. Protocoins were considered to be something of value that can be traded, but could not be consumed by those of numerous ancient civilizations worldwide. Protocoins came in all shapes and sizes. Some were made from anything naturally occurring, such as seashells, feathers and even bone. Others were entirely manufactured from metals, such as rings, knives and small figurines. Eventually they would be replaced by actual coins, which were needed due to more people needing money that was more universal in appearance, and easy and fast to pick up and stack, as well as to store.
