Did native Americans had coins?

[toyonakataro]

When I was a kid(long time ago), I was given a round stone(?) with hole in the center by a man. He told me that it was used as money by native Americans, but did they actually had coins/money? I wish I could post a pic, but I lost the stone shortly after he gave me.

[currentcoin]

Some used Wampum, which is strung beads,shells or minerals.

 

Thats all I know

 

Glen

[cladking]

Numismatic News did an article or two on this several years ago. (~'97). It was pretty interesting and highlighted the fact that there was extensive trading and commerce in the new world in ancient times. There are arrowheads found all over north and central America which came from a mine in Kentucky.

 

Essentially the conclusion of the article was that the indians did not use coins as such but did carve designs into rock which was sometimes traded. I've been trying to research this for a friend who found such a piece but can't even locate the article.

[spy88]

I used to live on a island in Puget Sound (Vashon Is.) back in the mid-60's. Had a Whites metal detector, went to a small inlet that had no housing in the area, and started detecting. Got a big hit and started digging. Never found what was making the detector ring out but I did find this arrowhead in the dug up dirt from about a foot down..

 

I imagine it was a camp area at one time for either local or traveling NA's and this item was dropped/lost or found to be unusable and discarded. 1 3/4" long and 1" in width. Don't know the rock type but some form of flint.

 

I know it is OT but pertinent in a indirect way to the topic.

 

 

David

[Leothelion]

I really don't have an answer but would like to relate an interesting story about an Indian exhibition at my daughter's school. As my daughter and I were strolling along looking at the different booths and setups that were on display, we finally came to a teepee where there were some native americans doing their dances and chants. After listening and watching them dance in circles and sing, aye yaa yaa for a few minutes, I became really intrigued with amazement on how well they did their acts until at the end of one of the acts, one of the indians looked over at the other and said, 'how was that Bob?

I wasn't expecting such a response and really had trouble controlling my sanity. It was a very hilarious moment.

 

Leo

[EZ_E]

I used to live on a island in Puget Sound (Vashon Is.) back in the mid-60's. Had a Whites metal detector, went to a small inlet that had no housing in the area, and started detecting. Got a big hit and started digging. Never found what was making the detector ring out but I did find this arrowhead in the dug up dirt from about a foot down..

 

I imagine it was a camp area at one time for either local or traveling NA's and this item was dropped/lost or found to be unusable and discarded. 1 3/4" long and 1" in width. Don't know the rock type but some form of flint.

 

I know it is OT but pertinent in a indirect way to the topic.

 

 

David

 

Cool story!