The Strangest Things People Used as Money (Before Cash Existed)
Cowry Shells
Before coins existed, cowry shells were one of the earliest and most widely used forms of money across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Their shiny, porcelain-like appearance made them attractive, and their durability made them practical. Cowries were small enough to carry but rare enough to be valuable, creating the perfect pre-cash currency. They were often strung together to make counting and transport easier—primitive wallets, if you will.
In some societies, cowries were so valuable that their trade was strictly regulated. The Chinese even cast bronze replicas for official use. Cowry shells’ influence on language endures: in Mandarin, the character for “money” still includes the cowry symbol. Today, these shells are seen as trinkets or decorations, but centuries ago, they bought slaves, land, and livestock—making them small objects with huge economic power.
