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.

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"	Printable Cattle Printable Shell Bead Wampum	Printable Cacao Beans Printable Silver "Miracles"
Africa	Salt Money Cowrie Shell     Money Aggry Bead Bracelet Cattle	Printable Salt Money Printable Cowrie Shell Money	Printable Aggry Bead Bracelet Printable Cattle
Europe	Bead Necklace	Printable Bead Necklace
Southeast Asia	Glass Beads	Printable Printable Glass Beads
China and Japan	Cowrie Shell     Money Chinese Coins	Printable Cowrie Shell Money	Printable Chinese Coins
Globally	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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