Today, people use coins, bills, and digital payments to buy what they need. But long ago, money did not exist. Instead, people traded goods directly in a system called bartering. A farmer might exchange wheat for a pot, or a shepherd might trade wool for tools. Bartering worked occasionally, but it was often inconvenient and unfair. What if the other person did not want what you had?
To solve this problem, ancient civilizations created currency. Early forms included everyday items, such as shells, salt, or beads. Around 600 B.C., the kingdom of Lydia, located in present-day Turkey, introduced the first coins. They were made of electrum, a mix of gold and silver, and stamped with symbols to show their value.
Later, during China’s Tang Dynasty, paper money appeared, making trade lighter and easier. Over time, this payment system spread worldwide. Today, money takes many forms, from cash to credit cards and mobile apps.
Nancy Ahmed For The Junior Times junior/1760591906/1613367831
1. Who might trade wheat for a pot in the bartering system?
2. Why was bartering often inconvenient or unfair?
3. What kinds of items were used as early forms of currency?
4. When did the kingdom of Lydia introduce the first coins?
1. Have you ever traded something with a friend instead of using money?
2. What would you offer in exchange if bartering still existed today?
3. Do you prefer using cash, cards, or mobile payments when you buy things?
4. How would you feel if you had to carry shells or beads as money?
Today, people use coins, bills, and digital payments to buy what they need. But long ago, money did not exist. Instead, people traded goods directly in a system called bartering. A farmer might exchange wheat for a pot, or a shepherd might trade wool for tools. Bartering worked occasionally, but it was often inconvenient and unfair. What if the other person did not want what you had?
