Money makes the world go round, but have you ever stopped to think about the strange and fascinating forms it can take? The history of money is full of surprising and unusual examples. These unconventional currencies may not be widely used today, but they offer a glimpse into the creative and often ingenious ways that people have sought to facilitate trade and commerce throughout history. Tea bricks – Asia Tea bricks were a form of currency used in parts of Asia, particularly China, Mongolia, and Tibet, from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) to the early 20th century.
These bricks were made by compressing tea leaves into solid blocks, making them easy to transport and store. Highly valued for being a sought-after beverage and as a medium of exchange, people could break off pieces of the brick to brew tea or use it in transactions. The value of tea bricks fluctuated based on tea quality and market demand, and in regions where tea was scarce, they were highly coveted.
Rai stones – Yap island Rai stones, huge limestone disks, served as a currency on Yap Island in Micronesia. Their sizes varied greatly, from a few inches to over 12 feet in diameter. Transporting these heavy stones required significant effort and often involved entire villages and long sea journeys.
The value of a rai stone was determined by its size, historical significance, and craftsmanship. What set rai stones apart was that they rarely changed location once acquired, with ownership transferring through commun.
