Money in the ancient world

Countries of the ancient world used the most necessary things instead of money. In many countries the cattle played the role of money. The Latin word to name money "pecunia" comes from "pecus" that means the cattle. Gomer speaking about some kinds of guns valued them in bulls.

On the territory of Ancient Germany people used so called "cow money". The Northern peoples used the dear as the money unit. Other ancient countries used sugar, fur, elephant ivory, opium, cacao as the alternative money. The cowry shells or Cyprala moneta are especially popular as the money alternative. Cyprala moneta is the white shell with 2-3 centimetres in its length and was spread in the Indian Ocean and was brought to India, Africa and Ceylon. In Ancient times it was spread in many countries and it was even found by archaeologists on the territory of Eastern Europe.

The precious fell was used as money in the North America, Alaska, Siberia and it was the money in Ancient Russia. One squirrel fell was one coin and one hundred fells made one rouble.

In Ancient Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras the cacao beans were used as the money coins. In some countries of Peru and Bolivia pepper was playing the same role. In some regions of America people used leaves of tobacco and the tea was used in Mongolia as money. Besides, the slave was also playing the role of money in Africa and New Guinea.