"Primitive money" ones not on numista

I decided to talk about primitive money as many of these are also coins. Some aren't but all of these have been used as currency.

In this picture there are early Chinese money, Thai bullet coinage, other and a Kissi penny (on top of all). Kissi pennies have been used as currency in Sierra Leone and the neighbouring countries in the 19th century. I have requested the kissi penny to be added into the catalogue, but my request was declined.

The Micronesian yap stones are also primitive "coins" but very large.

There are also multiple primitive "money" used in trading, for example Papua New Guinea beetle wings, Sierra Leone salt baskets, Mexican axe money, Angola trade cloth, African wing money, Malay tin animal money, Philippines golden rings, African beads, Nordic countries squirrel skin and Solomon islands honey eater bird feather coil.

There are some in the database :
- Crosses of Katanga
- Boat Money - Thai Canoe Kingdom of Lan Xang (even though this wide kingdom is not yet considered as an issuer)
With this last example we face two problems of these primitive moneys:
1) wide counterfeiting all along the Mekong.
2) Uncertainty of use and types.
For example, my following ring with biconvex lenticular section is supposed to be a type of circulating currency since the Bronze Age

But it might be considered just a variation of this standard decoration ring ...

And what about this Monetaria moneta

I understand that referees may be reluctant and a little cautious about such types of money ...

Quote: "Frenchlover"​I understand that referees may be reluctant and a little cautious about such types of money ...

​Very reluctant indeed!

If we are going to include those in the catalogue, it should be listed in a separate issuer; maybe named "Non-numismatic currency" or something to that effect.

Why not put cows or camels or other animals in the catalogue?
They were also used for trading in the past...

If anyone still has one of those trade-cows or trade-camels in good condition (at least VF) for swap, I'm offering my complete swaplist in exchange. Please send registered because of high value (use "numismatic item" on custom form).

Please post pictures, if you have any of the above currencies available (I'm not interested in hyena's).

Quote: "BramVB"trade-camels in good condition (at least VF) for swap,

Sure you can make some interesting deals ..

Quote: "CassTaylor"​

Quote: "Frenchlover"​​I understand that referees may be reluctant and a little cautious about such types of money ...

​​Very reluctant indeed!
​
​If we are going to include those in the catalogue, it should be listed in a separate issuer; maybe named "Non-numismatic currency" or something to that effect.

​Great idea.


The members who have commented on this thread, you two, I challenge you to find an actual cow from those times used in trade. I do not think you can find an original one.
Anyways I think the border of non-numismatic currency and random objects used in trade would be those African trade beads.

If I pay someone with potatoes, can we consider them as a currency and add them on numista too ?
I have a lot of potatoes and I wanna swap them to get new coins

After all they were probably used at some points for "trading" in the Inca society :p

To be honest there is a thin line here, but defining it may not be so clear cut (as with so many things in life).

My personal condition for inclusion in the catalogue would be being man-made (so no Aztec cocoa beans, etc.). This also excludes cowry shells, but includes stuff like Kissi pennies and black tea blocks.

I've no vested interest in seeing them added or rejected to the catalogue, but if they are added I would be curious to see page(s).

We already have the cowry
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces52012.html