I find (proto-money?) "coins," such as Olbian dolphins, Celtic rings/bells/arrowheads, Ancient Chinese fish/cowry/spade/knife money, et cetera, very fascinating. So I was wondering, are there any other unusual-shaped coins like those?
There are several books on the subject of "primitive money", which also includes shark vertebrae, tea bricks, large stones (Yap Island), wampum, Aztec hoe money, sycee, silver "tiger tongues", silver "boat money", Chinese "shirt money" and 'knife money", etc.
One recent book was written by Bob Leonard, who is a member of the Chicago Coin Club. Carl Wolf of the Chicago Club specializes in primitive money, and has given many 'show and tell" stories and exhibits of them.
The club has also issued a number of souvenir cards, with a form of primitive money (or a replica of it) on the card. You can find a list of cards still available on their website.
Ohhh thank you! I expected there must be many (especially from Ancient China) but I only knew the Riksdaler, Rai stones, sycee and wampum. Aztec hoe money is one interesting thing I just learned – I thought they only used cacao beans as currency or just bartered goods and stuff!
I will check out the club website! And make sure to see if any books are available.
Also, a little off the topic, but I've heard of Russian "wire coins" and never figured out what that means since they just look like ordinary silver coins to me. Is this term by any chance related to the larins?
Quote: "Cuthwellis"
Also, a little off the topic, but I've heard of Russian "wire coins" and never figured out what that means since they just look like ordinary silver coins to me. Is this term by any chance related to the larins?
The Russians used rolled wire of silver, clipping off the approximate weight for the coin, and then struck it with coin dies. The resulting coins are roughly oval or eliptical in shape. See below for an example:
