Atlantis, the Antediluvian World
6. Gold and Silver the Sacred Metals of Atlantis
MONEY is the instrumentality by which man is lifted above the limitations of barter. Baron Storch terms it "the marvelous instrument to which we are indebted for our wealth and civilization."
It is interesting to inquire into the various articles which have been used in different countries and ages as money. The following is a table of some of them:
Articles of Utility.
| India | Cakes of tea
| | China | Pieces of silk
| | Abyssinia | Salt
| | Iceland and Newfoundland | Codfish
| | Illinois (in early days) | Coon-skins
| | Borneo (Africa) | Cotton shirts
| | Ancient Russia | Skins of wild animals
| | West India Islands (1500) | Cocoa-nuts
| | Massachusetts Indians | Wampum and musket-balls
| | Virginia (1700) | Tobacco
| | British West India Islands | Pins, snuff, and whiskey
| | Central South America | Soap, chocolate, and eggs
| | Ancient Romans | Cattle
| | Ancient Greece | Nails of copper and iron
| | The Lacedemonians | Iron
| | The Burman Empire | Lead
| | Russia (1828 to 1845) | Platinum
| | Rome (under Numa Pompilius) | Wood and leather
| | Rome (under the Caesars) | Land
| | Carthaginians | Leather
| | Ancient Britons Cattle, | slaves, brass, and iron
| | England (under James II.) | Tin, gun-metal, and pewter
| | South Sea Islands | Axes and hammers
|
|