Equipment money

As equipment money is called a vormünzliche metallic form of money ( prämonetär ) with original additional practical use-value functions. It was common as a general measure of value ( monetary unit ), as a store of value (see hoard ), as a feudal or tribute levy and tax. In economically underdeveloped human communities, device money was widespread as a general means of payment alongside in kind .

The period of device money stretched from the primitive societies of all regions to the beginning of the 20th century (Africa, Indochina, South Sea islands).

Weapons (spearheads, arrowheads, throwing irons , swords, knife money ) or tools (hoes, hatchets, plowshares) made of bronze or iron were mainly used as equipment money . Jewelry (rings, brooches, bracelets, etc.) made of bronze or precious metals can in some cases be regarded as equipment money. In contrast to the pure exchange of goods, device money represents a higher level in the development towards coin money . On the other hand, device money can also be seen as a form of metal bar money . Device money could also serve as a raw material for other goods.

Later forms of device money can already be seen in the development towards coins or bars, as they could usually no longer perform their original function as tools or weapons, e.g. B. the stunted "spade leaves" of the Chinese spade money, which consisted of bronze.

literature

• Christoph Sommerfeld: Equipment money sickle: Studies on the monetary structure of Bronze Age hoards in northern Central Europe , Walter de Gruyter, 1994, ISBN 3110129280
• AH Quiggin: A survey of primitive money, The beginnings of currency, With an introduction by AC Haddon. London 1949