Apparently grain was used as a local currency to supplement barter and money could be redeemed in whatever the local crop was. So yeah you could have a cheese backed currency, but then you'd get fools counterfeiting cheese with nasty recipes.
One thing worth mentioning is «oxhide ingots» from Bronze Age Mediterranean. The current «scientific consensus» seems to be «those protrusions are simply handles for easier transportation», but then – would a patriarchal society (where grown men handle valuables) need _four_ handles for a thing that weighs less than 30 kg? I wouldn't discount the possibility they were a sort of cattle-backed currency.
I've heard of the cattle-backed currency before, and a quick search shows Ireland, which makes sense, because a cow has multiple uses and would be one of the most marketable commodities for that era.
People always say "you can't eat gold," well you can eat a cow, last time I checked. The problem is the value would fluctuate around supply, which isn't guaranteed to be stable and changes with the season, but if people are worried about the existing currency then some allocation to cows and livestock is a good plan.
you can eat cheese. you cannot eat gold. all the gold in the world in case of starvation cannot buy you food. Everyone will hold on to theirs. And cheese ages well too! (must be a rat, I love cheese and could eat it 3 times a day LOL)
LOL I like how Rat chose the Maple Leaf - which is is .9999 fine 24K gold - over the Eagle or Krugerrand, which are of the 22K variety ;-)
That was intentional. :)
I had no doubt - Rat is wise... ;-)
Apparently grain was used as a local currency to supplement barter and money could be redeemed in whatever the local crop was. So yeah you could have a cheese backed currency, but then you'd get fools counterfeiting cheese with nasty recipes.
One thing worth mentioning is «oxhide ingots» from Bronze Age Mediterranean. The current «scientific consensus» seems to be «those protrusions are simply handles for easier transportation», but then – would a patriarchal society (where grown men handle valuables) need _four_ handles for a thing that weighs less than 30 kg? I wouldn't discount the possibility they were a sort of cattle-backed currency.
I've heard of the cattle-backed currency before, and a quick search shows Ireland, which makes sense, because a cow has multiple uses and would be one of the most marketable commodities for that era.
People always say "you can't eat gold," well you can eat a cow, last time I checked. The problem is the value would fluctuate around supply, which isn't guaranteed to be stable and changes with the season, but if people are worried about the existing currency then some allocation to cows and livestock is a good plan.
Romans derived the very word for 'money' from 'cattle': https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pecunia#Latin
As valuable as gold may be, in some contexts, perhaps real wealth can be measured in cheese, as these thoughtful bankers do.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/hbsworkingknowledge/2015/07/01/a-bank-that-accepts-parmesan-as-collateral-the-cheese-stands-a-loan/?sh=72592b10a23e
you can eat cheese. you cannot eat gold. all the gold in the world in case of starvation cannot buy you food. Everyone will hold on to theirs. And cheese ages well too! (must be a rat, I love cheese and could eat it 3 times a day LOL)
Rat has an eye for pure gold! Way to go, Rat!
Who ate all the cheese!? Whoever it was, I would advise them to cut it and run! 🧀 🔪 🏃