In the earliest of times trading and bartering were used in the exchange of goods and services. The trading of such items as herd animals, sea shells, salt, tobacco, gold, gemstones and other similar items were commonly used by man before actual currency was invented.

Currency – The Beginning

The first currency ever used, was in coin form and dates back to 600 B.C. by then King Croesus of Lydia in Asia Minor. At that time Lydia was located in what is now present day Turkey. These coins were minted from a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver called electrum. And each coin had a specific weight of 4.7 grams. These coins functioned as a medium of exchange, unit of payment and were capable of preserving value...

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