What were the early forms of currency?

Barter: The earliest and simplest form of currency was barter, where goods or services were exchanged for other goods or services. This was usually done by direct exchange, where one item was directly exchanged for another. For example, a farmer might trade a bushel of wheat for a blacksmith's services in making a plow.

Debt-based currency: Early forms of currency also included debt-based currencies. These were created when a person or group promised to pay back a debt in the future. These currencies often took the form of promissory notes or IOUs.

Commodity money: Commodity money is currency that has inherent value in addition to its monetary value. This could include precious metals, such as gold, silver, and copper, or other valuable commodities, such as salt or grain. Commodity money was often used in early societies because it was widely recognized and accepted as valuable.

Fiat money: Fiat money is currency that is not backed by any physical asset, such as gold or silver. Instead, fiat money is backed by the issuing government or central bank. The value of fiat money is based solely on the confidence that people have in the government or central bank that issues it.

Checks and drafts: Checks and drafts are orders to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specific person or company. These were developed as early as the 17th century and became widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries.

These early forms of currency have evolved and developed over time to give rise to the modern forms of currency we use today.