Before we had coins and currency, bartering was used as a way to trade something you owned for something you wanted. Some of the things traded were animals, food, and metal.

Later, some people traded wampum beads. Six beads equaled one penny. Others used cowrie shells to purchase their goods and services. But the smallest objects ever used were called obelas and they were the size of apple seeds.

As the years went by, the use of these objects ended and coins and currency were created. A coin is a small piece of gold, silver, or copper colored metal that is flat and round. Coins are made by the government at the U.S. Mint.

The most common coins are the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter.

Besides coins, we also have currency. Currency is paper money; it is shaped in a rectangle. Currency is made by the the government at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Visit their kids' site!

We use money for goods and services. Goods are things you want that you can touch, like candy, books, and clothes. Services are things you want people to do for you, like cut your hair or give you music lessons.