A long, long time ago, gold and silver coins were not used for money. Men traded the things they owned for the things they wanted.

The Indians used shells for money. They called these shells wampum. The shells were stung on strings of skin. Purple clam shells were more valuable than white shells.

King Croesus, who lived a great many years ago, had gold fields in his kingdom. This king had money coined out of this gold. His people bought their food and clothing with the coins.

Machinery makes the coins that we use now. Years ago they were made by hand.