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Humans have been trading goods since the dawn of time, and although money as we know it didn’t exist, there have been some pretty interesting forms of payment before it. Let’s take a look at some of the most well-known precursors to money.

Kauri Shells

One of the oldest forms of payment used by early civilizations were kauri shells. Kauri shells are a type of large sea shell that has been traded for over 12,000 years. They were often used by ancient Polynesians, Melanesians and Aborigines as a form of currency.

Kauri shells were highly sought after and valued due to their rarity and beauty. Their shells, which were often found washed up on the shores of New Zealand, could be made into necklaces, earrings, headdresses and other decorative items. They were also used as a form of payment in bartering and trading.

Cloth

Another form of payment that was popular before money was cloth. According to reports from the traveller Ibrahim ibn Jakub, pieces of cloth were used as currency in some parts of the world as early as the mid-10th century.

Cloth was often used as a form of payment because it was easy to transport, durable and could be used in a variety of different ways. For example, it could be used for trading goods, making clothes or even used as a form of currency in gambling games.

Precious Metals

By the end of the 10th century, precious metals had become the most popular form of payment. Gold, silver and copper were the main metals used for trading. This is because they were rare, durable and had a certain aesthetic appeal due to their luster.

These metals were often used for trading items of high value, such as livestock, jewelry and weapons. They were also the preferred currency for international trade and were used in markets across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Conclusion

So, before money, there were kauri shells, pieces of cloth and precious metals that were used as forms of payment. These currencies were used by civilizations for centuries and were instrumental in the development of global trade and commerce.