samsamsam

The Coin Cabinet at Stockholm

Following a chronological order, the exhibiton first displays cowrie shells, tobacco, caco, and salt blocks, what people used to trade with. There’s even this weird Rai stones, from the Yap islands, made from Aragonite stone. Round wheels, the larger the more valuable. Still used for important transactions, like land purchases, and the rich display Rais outside their houses, I think because it can’t fit through the front door. Haha.

Then there’s Roman denarius, Greek coins with their characteristic owl motifs, Viking coins, even Chinese coins with holes, Malay Kupang (which I am impressed that they have), porcelain coins from Thailand, and weird Ghana statues, which are their currency, based on weight but carved into images. Must be tedious to keep in your pocket with all the poking edges.