Rai Stones
The Yapese people from Micronesia used enormous stone discs known as rai stones as currency. Some were so massive that they remained in place permanently, and ownership was transferred verbally. They were carved from limestone found on distant islands, then transported back via canoes—a feat that made them all the more valuable.
The most fascinating part? A rai stone that fell into the sea during transport still retained its value—because the community agreed it was still “owned.” This demonstrates an early form of trust-based economy, not unlike modern blockchain or NFTs. While you couldn’t toss a rai in your pocket, you could use it to buy prestige, land, or settle debts.
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