Different Types of Money :

There are several kinds of money varying in liability and strength. The society has modified the money at different times and in this way several types of money are introduced. When there was ample availability of metals, metal money came into existence later it was substituted by the paper money. At different times, several commodities were used as the medium of exchange. So, it can be said that according to the needs and availability of means, the kinds of money has changed.

There are 4 major types of Money :

• Commodity Money
• Fiat Money
• Fiduciary Money
• Commercial Bank Money

Commodity Money

It is the simplest kind of money which is used in barter system where the valuable resources fulfil the functions of money. The value of this kind of money comes from the value of resource used for the purpose. It is only limited by the scarcity of the resources. Value of this kind of money involves the parties associated with the exchange process. This money has intrinsic value.

Whenever any commodity is used for the exchange purpose, the commodity becomes equivalent to the money and is called commodity money. There are certain types of commodity, which are used as the commodity money. Among these, there are several precious metals like gold, silver, copper and many more. Again, in many parts of the world, seashells (also known as cowrie shells), tobacco and many other items were in use as a type of money & medium of exchange.

Ex: gold coins, beads, shells, pearls, stones, tea, sugar, metal.

Fiat Money

The word fiat means the”command of the sovereign”. Fiat currency is the kind of money which don’t have any intrinsic value and it can’t convert into a valuable resource. The value of fiat money is determined by government order which makes it a legal instrument for all transaction purposes. The fiat money needs to be controlled as it may affect entire economy of a country if it is misused. Today Fiat money is the basis of all the modern money system. The real value of fiat money is determined by the market forces of demand and supply.

Ex: Paper money, Coins.

Fiduciary Money

Today’s monetary system is highly fiduciary. Whenever any bank assures the customers to pay in different types of money and when the customer can sell the promise or transfer it to somebody else, it is called the fiduciary money. Fiduciary money is generally paid in gold, silver or paper money. There are cheques and banknotes, which are the examples of fiduciary money because both are some kind of token which are used as money and carry the same value.

Commercial Bank Money

Commercial Bank money or demand deposits are claims against financial institutions that can be used for the purchase of goods and services. A demand deposit account is an account from which funds can be withdrawn at any time by cheque or cash withdrawal without giving the bank or financial institution any prior notice. Banks have the legal obligation to return funds held in demand deposits immediately upon demand (or ‘at call’). Demand deposit withdrawals can be performed in person, via cheques or bank drafts, using automatic teller machines (ATMs), or through online banking.

Other types of Money :

There are also various other types of money like the credit money, electronic money, coin and paper money, Fractional money and Representative money as discussed below :

Fractional Money

It is a hybrid type of money which is partly backed by a commodity and has a fiat money transaction purpose. If the commodity loses its value then Fractional money converts into Fiat money.

REPRESENTATIVE MONEY

It represents a claim on commodity and it can be redeemed for that commodity at a bank. It is a token or paper money that can be exchanged for a fixed quantity of a commodity. Its value depends on the commodity it backs.

Coins

Metals of particular weight are stamped into coins. There are various precious metals like gold, silver, bronze, copper whose coins are already used in human history. The minting of coins is controlled by the state.

Paper Money

Paper money doesn’t have any intrinsic value, as a fiat money, it is approved by government order to be treated as legal tender through which value exchange can happen. Governments print the paper money according to the requirements which are tightly controlled as it can affect the economy of the country.