shell money

Shell money refers to shells, typically cowries, that have been used as a medium of exchange in various cultures throughout history, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

The shells functioned much like coins—standardized, portable, durable, and difficult to counterfeit.

In some regions, shell money remained in circulation into the twentieth century and retains ceremonial significance today.

Cowrie shells were the dominant form of shell money across much of the ancient world.