The IMF, Money, International Trade and Cooperation
(Activities: Cornerstones of the IMF and Trading Around the World)

Group #1:
Past and Present Forms of Money

Open the Red Treasure Chest of Currencies: everyone picks one to two forms of money. Let’s see what we can learn from these money forms by using a visual framework about:

SHAPE, SIZE, COLOR, MATERIAL, FUNCTION

This framework can be applied to looking at any object whether it is a coin, toy, clothing, jewelry, etc. Everyone describes the shape, size, color, material and function of their money form(s). Then as a group, discuss how these objects are similar and how they are different.

Treasure Chest To learn more about your particular money form(s), answer the following three questions:

  1. what country/continent were these money form(s) from?
  2. what time period were these money form(s) used?
  3. what else is interesting about these money form(s)?

Treasure Chest of Currencies includes:

The Americas

Cattle
Shell Bead
    Wampum
Cacao Beans
Silver "Miracles"

cattle
Printable Cattle

Shell Bead Wampum
Printable Shell Bead Wampum

Cacao Beans
Printable Cacao Beans

Silver Miracles
Printable Silver "Miracles"

Africa

Salt Money
Cowrie Shell
    Money
Aggry Bead Bracelet
Cattle

Salt Money
Printable Salt Money

Cowrie Shell Money
Printable Cowrie Shell Money

Aggry Bead Bracelet
Printable Aggry Bead Bracelet

cattle
Printable Cattle

Europe

Bead Necklace

Bead Necklace
Printable Bead Necklace

 

Southeast Asia

Glass Beads

Glass Beads
Printable Printable Glass Beads

China and Japan

Cowrie Shell
    Money
Chinese Coins

Cowrie Shell Money
Printable Cowrie Shell Money

Chinese Coins
Printable Chinese Coins

Globally

Coins and paper currency

Coins and paper currency
Printable Coins and paper currency

SO WHAT? Group of students are to lead a discussion with the entire class using the following four questions:

  1. What are the most common forms of money used today? (coins, paper currency, credit cards, checks, travelers checks)
  2. How are ancient money forms different from money today? (Encourage the group to "show and tell" their money form(s) with the entire class.)
  3. What are the advantages and conveniences of money forms today?
  4. Can you think of any problems or disadvantages to today’s money?


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