Money has existed in one form or another for thousands of years. However, before modern paper notes and digital transactions became common, human beings used some very unusual objects as currency. In many ancient societies, anything considered valuable, rare, or useful could become a medium of exchange.
Some of these currencies made practical sense, while others seem completely bizarre by today’s standards. Below is a list of some of the strangest things people once used as money.
1. Cowrie Shells
Cowrie shells were among the most widely used forms of currency in ancient history. These small, shiny sea shells were used across parts of Africa, Asia, and even Europe for centuries. In some African kingdoms, cowrie shells were so valuable that they were used to pay taxes, buy livestock, and even settle dowries.
One reason the shells became popular was because they were difficult to counterfeit. Their smooth appearance and durability also made them convenient for trade. In some regions, enormous quantities of shells circulated like coins.
2. Tea Bricks
In ancient China, Tibet, Mongolia, and Siberia, compressed blocks of tea were used as money. These “tea bricks” were made by pressing tea leaves into solid rectangular shapes.
Tea bricks had value because tea was an important commodity. People could trade the bricks directly or break off pieces for consumption. In poorer regions, tea bricks became more reliable than metal coins because they served both as currency and food product. Some tea bricks even had official stamps or markings to indicate their value.
3. Giant Stone Disks
The people of Yap Island in Micronesia once used enormous stone disks called Rai stones as currency. Some of these circular stones measured over 12 feet in diameter and weighed several tons.
Surprisingly, the stones were rarely moved during transactions. Ownership simply changed verbally within the community. Everyone knew who owned which stone, even if it remained in the same location for years.
The value of a Rai stone depended not only on its size, but also on the difficulty involved in transporting it to the island. Stones that cost lives during transportation were often considered more valuable.
4. Feathers
Bright and rare feathers served as currency in parts of South America and the Pacific Islands. Hawaiian chiefs, for example, valued cloaks and ornaments made from rare bird feathers.
The feathers were difficult to gather because obtaining them often required dangerous expeditions into forests. Their rarity made them valuable for trade and tribute.
In some societies, feather-based wealth was associated with royalty and spiritual authority.
5. Cigarettes
Cigarettes have repeatedly become unofficial currency during times of war and economic collapse. During and after World War II, cigarettes were commonly used in prisoner-of-war camps and devastated European cities as a substitute for money.
People traded cigarettes for food, clothing, and services. Even non-smokers accepted them because they were widely desired and easy to exchange. In some places, cigarette prices became so standardized that entire underground economies operated around them.
6. Salt
The word “salary” is believed to have originated from the Latin word salarium, which was linked to salt payments given to Roman soldiers. In ancient times, salt was extremely valuable because it preserved food and was necessary for survival.
Entire trade routes were built around salt transportation. In parts of Africa, slabs of salt were traded ounce-for-ounce with gold. Because it was essential and difficult to obtain in some areas, salt functioned as a reliable form of money for centuries.
7. Animal Teeth
In several ancient societies, animal teeth were used as money and symbols of wealth. Whale teeth were especially valuable in Fiji, where they were exchanged during important ceremonies and agreements.
In other cultures, dog teeth, dolphin teeth, and even boar tusks were used for trade. These items often represented status because hunting or obtaining them required skill and effort. Some communities also used the teeth during marriage negotiations and political alliances.
8. Playing Cards
During the 17th century, French colonies in Canada faced a severe coin shortage. As a temporary solution, authorities began using playing cards as currency.
Officials would cut the cards into pieces, write denominations on them, and stamp them with official seals. The cards circulated like paper money until proper coins arrived from France.
Although intended as a temporary measure, the playing-card currency lasted for years because it proved surprisingly effective.
9. Beaver Fur
In colonial North America, beaver fur was one of the most valuable trade commodities. European demand for beaver hats was enormous, making pelts highly sought after.
In some regions, beaver pelts became a standard unit of value. Traders exchanged them for weapons, tools, and imported goods. The fur trade became so profitable that it shaped exploration and colonization across large parts of Canada and the United States.
The heavy hunting of beavers eventually reduced their populations in many areas.
10. Large Limestone Wheels
Apart from the Rai stones of Yap, some Pacific societies also used large limestone wheels and carved stones as ceremonial money. These objects symbolized wealth and power rather than everyday spending.
In many cases, ownership mattered more than physical possession. A wealthy family could own several large stones scattered across different villages without ever moving them.
This system worked because the communities relied heavily on trust and shared memory.
11. Human Skulls
Certain tribal societies used human skulls as symbols of wealth, power, or payment. In parts of Papua New Guinea and other regions, skulls of defeated enemies sometimes held ceremonial and economic value.
While not everyday currency in the modern sense, they were exchanged during negotiations, rituals, and displays of status. Such practices reflected how closely wealth and warfare were linked in some ancient cultures.
