Forms of money
Miniature bronze cannons, often cast in the likeness of animals, such as this rare oxen-shaped specimen, were formerly used as currency and as wedding presents in Sarawak and Brunei.
Product exchanges probably dominated the early economy of Malaysia. However, as societies grew more sophisticated, certain objects became more valuable than others, which ultimately led to the creation of primitive money. Long before the first coins came into use in Malaysia, a diverse variety of objects were used for currency as well as for barter. These not only included precious metals such as gold and tin, but also cowrie shells, beads, ceramics and tin ingots cast in the shape of animals and mountains.
- Information in the full article includes
- Currency from the sea
- Beads used for barter
- Heirloom ‘dragon’ jars
- Miniature cannons and brass gongs
- Metal used as exchange