Social Studies Help Center
Social Studies Help Center: What Is Money?
Introduction explains what money is. This is followed by a brief history of commodity money and fiat money. Finally, this site explains the essential functions and characteristics of money.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: What Is Currency? Lessons From Historic Africa
From the Smithsonian, this site offers lessons and resources on currency, its use (in the form of gold dust, salt, or metal objects) as an instrument of trade in historic Africa, and its requirements as an instrument of trade in the...
Online Learning Haven
Fun Social Studies: How Money Began
A brief history of the barter system and how coins and currency came into use. Includes links to related topics on the use of money.