Why did humans start using symbolic currency like notes, coins and gold?

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I often think about the fact that the objects we use to represent currency have no actual practical utility outside of their representation of “money”. But why did we begin using this system in place of exchanging good and services with one another? At what point did humans see fit that rounded metals and rectangular sheets of paper had an assigned representation of value that could be exchanged for goods and services?

In: Economics

11 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Very basic: If someone had potatoes and wanted a fish, he’d have to be lucky someone that has a fish wanted potatoes. If there is one exchange item good for everything it’s much more convenient. One could sell potatoes to whomever and just get something in exchange they could use to get fish, a table, vine, fruit, a smartphone or whatever.

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