# List of weird currencies around the world that you didn’t know about
Meta Description: Delve into our compilation of weird currencies around the world that you didn’t know about, and discover how these unique forms of money function.
From the ancient stones of Yap Island to Canada’s brief flirtation with wooden nickels, the concept of what constitutes currency can vary wildly across different cultures and historical periods. This list will explore some of the most unusual and unexpected forms of money from around the globe, presenting a mix of functional and bygone currencies that will leave you amazed. These oddities demonstrate that value can come in numerous forms not just the coins and notes we’re used to but also in items we might never consider as money.
**Stones (Rai Stones) – Micronesia**
In the Micronesian island of Yap, large donut-shaped stones, known as Rai Stones, have been used as currency for centuries. With diameters as large as 12 feet, these stones are not moved physically; rather, ownership is determined by communal memory and oral histories. This system, which is still in use in some parts of the island, emphasizes trust and communal consent over physical possession of currency.
**Tea Bricks – Mongolia and Siberia**
In certain Asian cultures, particularly in Mongolia and Siberia, tea wasn’t just a drink—it was money! Up until the 20th century, tea bricks, compressed blocks of tea leaves, served not just for brewing but also as currency. This form of money facilitated trade across the harsh, remote regions of Asia and was prized for both its utility as a consumable and its portability.
**Salt – Ancient Rome and Abyssinia**
In the days of ancient Rome and in Abyssinia (modern Ethiopia), salt was a valuable commodity, used not just for seasoning and preserving food, but as currency. Soldiers in the Roman Legion were sometimes paid with salt, which is where we get the term ‘salary’ from. In Ethiopia, blocks of salt called ‘amoleh’ were used as money well into the 20th century.
**Soap – Colonial Caribbean**
The use of soap as money may sound strange today, but in colonial Caribbean realms, it was a valuable and common currency for trade among local populations and between colonists. Soap’s utility in hygiene and its relative rarity made it a sought-after commodity in the tropics.
**Parmesan Cheese – Italy**
In parts of Italy, particularly in the regions famous for producing Parmesan cheese, this revered dairy product has occasionally been used as collateral for bank loans. The cheese’s long maturation process and high value make it a stable form of security for lenders.
**Potatoes – Early Idaho, USA**
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, in what might seem an amusing twist today, potatoes functioned as a form of currency amongst settlers in Idaho. Given the region’s robust production of this staple crop, potatoes were used to trade for goods and services when official currency was scarce.
**Conclusion**
From Rai Stones to Parmesan Cheese, this list showcases the breadth and variety of items that have served as currency. These examples not only reflect the cultures and economies where they were used but also serve as a fascinating glimpse into human ingenuity in economic practices. Each item on this list challenges our modern conceptions of money and encourages a deeper understanding of the diverse ways value can be represented. Be sure to share this post with others who might enjoy these remarkable stories or bookmark it for your future reference!
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