Some form of currency has been around for nearly as long as people have walked the earth.
From bartering, to trading cattle, to swapping Bitcoins, the following infographic from mint.com explores the evolution of money including the many monetary experiments that have taken place since ancient times.
Some forms of currency have stood the test of time – for example precious metals like gold or paper money which was first introduced in China in 806 after a copper shortage prevented the minting of new coins.
Other forms didn’t have much staying power – things like squirrel pelts, cowry shells, or parmesan cheese are only remembered for their peculiarity.

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