The Strangest Things People Used as Money (Before Cash Existed)

Feathers

In Papua New Guinea and parts of South America, bird feathers—especially from the bird of paradise—were more than flashy accessories. They were money. These vibrant, rare feathers held high value and were used in dowries, tributes, and important trades. The more feathers you had, the higher your social standing and economic clout.

Feathers were symbolic of beauty, power, and spiritual significance. Some tribes created ceremonial feather money belts or cloaks, which only elite members could wear. Because collecting the feathers required skilled hunting and took time, their rarity drove their worth. It’s safe to say—before cash, your wealth really was for the birds.

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