The Value of Things

It was brought to our attention that the Canadian painter Robert Harris (1849-1919) had a few of his works of art made into stamps.

Harris' "The Fathers of Confederation" made into an engraving on a stamp. The original painting was later lost in a fire.

Following this, we were told to think of what images made it unto stamps, coins and bills, and to think of what that symbolized. What did it take for an image to "make it" onto one of these? And how funny it was, really, to have these objects represent value, the state, our economy.

This reminded me of my visit last year to the British Museum in London, England. While there, I saw an exhibition on money throughout the ages. Like this video explains, it only takes for something to be considered of value and for someone to trust this value in order for that specific something to become money.

A Brief History of Money

This has wonderful results. All the things below are or were considered money now or years ago (sometimes lots and lots of years ago). To me it all goes to prove the importance and strength of an object's concept over its materiality, of mind over matter if you will.

With electronic money being all the rage, we can go days without seeing a bill or coin.

Paper money (including stamps, contracts and cheques) can be beautifully intricate and embellished, such as on this Icelandic kronur.

Feather money."This currency, known as tevau, is formed as coils resembling long belts." (bit.ly/JajPtQ)

Metal bracelets worn in certain African societies and used as currency. This one dates from the mid 19th century. 

"A coin minted in Thurium, a Greek city in modern day Italy, in the 4th century BC." detecting.org.uk