A very long time ago, people did not have money. They traded animals and crops for things they wanted. In China, in about 1200 B.C., people traded shells and metal tools for the things they wanted. For example, they traded metal knives and shovels for the things they needed. Later in China, people made metal money. In about 100 B.C., the Chinese made money of animal skin. The first paper money was made from white-colored deer skin. It came from China about 900 years later.
In about 700 B.C., people made the first round metal coins. The coins were made of gold and silver. They looked very similar to the coins we use today. These coins came from Lydia. Lydia was located where the country Turkey is located today. After people made coins in Lydia, people in Rome, Iran, and Greece also began making coins. Coins were very durable – they were strong and could last a long time without becoming damaged.
Wampum are necklaces made from beads and seashells. The beads had holes in them. People put beads on strings. American Indians used wampum for money in the 1500’s.
Money changes with time. No matter what it looks like, money is the thought that people can trade something they have for something they want. Money makes trading easier.