Bottle Caps
In 2005, after a civil war ravaged Sierra Leone, inflation rendered the official currency almost useless. People turned to bottle caps—yes, beer caps—as a more stable and accepted form of currency. They were durable, recognizable, and abundant thanks to beverage shipments from humanitarian efforts.
Some rural bars even accepted them for drinks, effectively creating a circular economy based on the caps. While this practice faded as stability returned, it remains a testament to human adaptability. When institutions crumble, people will literally find value in anything—even the trash under your feet.
