Lesson 27

Money

Part One

Watch the video and do the exercises

Part Two

Funny Money

Shells

The Monetaria moneta, also known as the money cowry, the small sea snail species were extensively used as currency in various countries in Africa, Australia and Asia. In western Africa, shell money was used until the mid-19th century, while in Australia, shells were used for carrying out trade until 1882.

Tea

Bars of tea were widely used as a form of currency in China, Tibet, Mongolia and Central Asia during the 19th century. At times, tea was preferred over coins, as it also served as food when needed. Similar practices were common in Siberia too, until World War II.

Salt

Interestingly, the word "salary" is derived from the Latin word, "salarium," which means "salt money." During the rule of the Roman empire, soldiers, officers and other civil servants were paid with salt. A recent example of this can be traced to Ethiopia, where bars of salt, or salt bricks, was used as money until the 20th century.

Knives

The ancient Chinese state of Qi made knives with their values inscribed on them as the official currency, from 600 to 210 BC. However, the knives being heavy, It was impossible to carry too many of them at a time. The practice was stopped during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC), who introduced round coins with holes as the official currency.

Part Three

Watch the video on the history of money

Part Four

Lovely Money

Banknote of the Year Awards

Yes, it's a thing

2019 Aruba

When the Central Bank of Aruba released its new series of 5 banknotes on June 3, 2019, it was the culmination of 7 years of intense preparation and soul searching. This “Stars of Aruba” series was introduced to the small Caribbean Island’s 120,000 residents with both humor, public interaction and a mobile application “Aruba su florin”. The goal was a complete banknote series redesign, the first in almost 30 years.

2018 Canada

The face of the note features the portrait of social justice icon Viola Desmond while the back depicts the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Desmond fought for racial equality across Canada and is the first Canadian woman to appear on a bank note