Money and Economics Image bank for schools Bimetallic £2 coin. Great Britain, AD 1997 Museum number: CM 1999-6-6-1 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/b/bimetallic_%c2%a32_coin.aspx

Cowrie shells from China. Shang and Zhou dynasty, 16th-8th century BC Cowrie shells from China. Shang and Zhou dynasty, 16th-8th century BC. The earliest money in China. Museum number: CM 1952-10-29-24 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/c/cowrie_shells.aspx

Great Ming Circulating Treasure Note from China Great Ming Circulating Treasure Note from China. Ming dynasty, first issued AD 1375. Museum number: CM 1942-8-5-1 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/g/great_ming_circulating_treasur.aspx

Pieces of eight. Potosi, Bolivia, AD 1589-1598 Pieces of eight. Potosi, Bolivia, AD 1589-1598. The eight reales coin, or 'piece of eight', was the most common silver coin of late sixteenth and seventeenth century Spain. As trade became a global activity for the first time, it became the international currency. Museum number: CM 1920,0907.382 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/p/pieces_of_eight.aspx

Coin spiral display of the national currency of UN recognised countries. The coins spiral alphabetically by country from the centre to the outer edge of the display panel. There are 192 coins in total, with one space representing South Sudan, which issues banknotes but is yet to issue coins, following its independence in 2011. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/galleries/themes/room_68_money/impressions_of_nations.aspx

Handwritten cheque for an account with Abraham Fowler, goldsmith Handwritten cheque for an account with Abraham Fowler, goldsmith. London, England, AD 1725. An early example of personal banking. Museum number: CM 1980-11-30-811 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/h/handwritten_cheque_for_an_acco.aspx

Money box in the shape of a television Money box in the shape of a television. Burma (Myanmar), 20th century AD. Museum number: CM 1999-6-7-1 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/m/money_box_in_the_shape_of_a_te.aspx

Gold bars with assayers' stamps Gold bars with assayers' stamps. Roman, late 4th century AD found in Egypt and Romania. Museum number: CM 1894-12-7-1 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/g/gold_bars_with_assayers_stamps.aspx

500,000,000,000 dinar note. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, AD 1993 500,000,000,000 dinar note. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, AD 1993. Economic crisis in the Balkans. Museum number: CM 1999-9-1-10 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/others/500,000,000,000_dinar_note.aspx

South Sea annuities certificate. England, 1730-1790 South Sea annuities certificate. England, 1730-1790. A certificate for £1550 annuities in South Sea Company Stock. Museum number: CIB.54396 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/s/south_sea_annuities_cert.aspx

Forged £1 note of the Halifax Bank Forged £1 note of the Halifax Bank. Halifax, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, AD 1819. Museum number: CM 1980-11-30-161 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/f/forged_%c2%a31_note_of_the_halifax.aspx

Copper coffee house token. Russell Street, London, 1649-1672 Copper coffee house token. Russell Street, London, 1649-1672. Copper coffee house token issued by Timothy Child in Russell Street, London. Museum number: T.3419 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/c/copper_coffee_house_token.aspx

Now you have finished… For more information Go to www.britishmuseum.org/money. All images: © The Trustees of the British Museum