Foods Once Used as Money
Cocoa Beans – Currency of the Aztecs
In ancient Mesoamerica, cocoa beans were so valuable that they were used to pay taxes and buy goods like clothing or even slaves.
Salt – The Original Salary
The word "salary" comes from "salarium"—Roman soldiers were partly paid in salt, a vital preservative and trade item.
Parmesan Cheese – Italy’s Edible Gold
In medieval Italy, large wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano were used as currency and even accepted as bank collateral.
Tea Bricks – Currency of Central Asia
Compressed tea leaves formed into bricks were used as currency across Tibet, Mongolia, and China, lasting centuries in trade.
Rice – Standard in Ancient Asia
Rice was used as both food and wealth in feudal Japan and ancient China. Samurai were paid in rice, not coins.
Spices – Luxury Money of the Old World
Pepper, cloves, and cinnamon were once worth more than gold. Spices were traded like currency in Europe and Asia.
Dried Cod – Nordic Trade Staple
In parts of Scandinavia and Newfoundland, dried cod served as barter currency in fishing communities for centuries.