What came first, coins or pockets to put them in?

Bear

How does one put YAP money in ones pocket?

SirAnthonyAC

Presuming for a sec that there's a wee bit of seriousness to the question... pockets came first.

Humans didn't make coins until around 600 BC in Ionia (an ancient region of central coastal Anatolia in present-day Turkey). Before that, there were various shapes of precious metals including dolphins and rings.

This is one of the first coins made by man (from my ancient collection), it's an early issue of lion head with star burst reverse IONIA - Miletos 600-550 BC 1/12 ST 1.2gm .....8 mm - S-3532. It can be had for less than $50 becuase they are rather abundant and there simply are not enough ancient collectors out there to drive the price up.



This is Dolphin Currency from around 600 BC as well but, they were minted for 100s of years before that. DOLPHIN Currency, OLBIA, Scythia-Sarmatia 600-500 BC connected with the cult of Apollo-Dolphin who was the patron of sea travelers and the Sovereign God of Miletus



And here is an example of ring currency. Celtic ring money with 3 double-knobs 800-500 BC



As for YAP money... you'd need a really, really, really, really, really BIG pocket for those!

Edited to fix pics

adamlaneus

Pockets came first, of course. Before we had standardized coinage, there were barter items that needed to be kept on ones' person.

As far as Yap coinage, the history is interesting and complex. There were Yap coin bags; not proper pockets per-se, but large separate enclosures made out of woven hemp fiber. Not many have survived the test of time. Also, the hole inside of the Yap coinage had a dual use. Not only was it how the large coins were transported, by inserting a stout log through the center of the stone currency, but the hole was also a good place to store items that needed to be kept cool, as the stone had a great deal of mass and kept a consistent cool temperature. It was important to keep the Yap bag closed or the refrigeration properties of the Yap currency was not as effective. Thus, the origination of the phrase: "Shut your Yap".

SaorAlba

The ancient Greeks did not have or use pockets, and most often coins were carried in their mouths. Larger quantities of coins, which would have been unusual unless for merchants would have been carried in pouches or bags.

adamlaneus

<< <i> and most often coins were carried in their mouths >>



What?!?

This is hard to believe. It sounds like a very unfortunate translation error.

ProofArtworkonCircs

Years ago, as a student, I came across the ancient Greek method of burial. A small coin was placed in the mouth of the deceased to pay Charon, the ferryman, for passage into Hades. I though that was very, very strange.

Later, I learned that was how the living ancient Greeks carried their money. No need for pockets there.

SirAnthonyAC

The ancient Greeks did carry coins around in their mouths but... no where near the equivalent of a small group of coins that you would find in a modern day pocket.

In the 5ht century they made coinage size relative to its value and they made silver and gold coins but no copper or Bronze, early on.

For small transactions, inexpensive purchases, the size of these lower denomination coins was very small, so small in fact that they were easily lost. So, when heading off to the market, in order to not loose one's coins, those very minute coins would be carried in your mouth.

So, not a roll of quarters but a few small silver chip like coins would be slipped between the cheek and gum so you wouldn't loose them. About 200 years later, they began making dime and quarter size bronze and copper coins to handle small transactions.

Edited to fix spelling

WoodenJefferson

I was always lead to believe that purses came before pockets were even invented. Even men carried purses around their neck and ladies carried purses under their garments to hide their baubles.

Mesquite

I agree with WJ. I think an ancestral "fanny pack" appeared before pockets.

ambro51

.....maybe thats where the expression "Cough it up" came from

Nothing wrong with having silver in your mouth all day though, the antibacterial qualities of the metal are unrivaled. It WILL be used again in the future when germs develop widespread resistance to the treatments in general use.

Glad we dont do that today...Youd need to be something like a human size hamster to get through the day!

Gemineye

<< <i>maybe thats where the expression "Cough it up" came from >>


...and it all started with bears...'cause bears eat salmon....Ain't ya heard of Salmonella...!!!

WoodenJefferson

The pocket originated in Canton, South Dakota and was invented by a man named James L. Pocket in 1898.

I wonder if Thomas Crapper was his Brother-in-law?

Note: I do not know about the validity of this information, the internet is riddled with incorrect information.

ProofArtworkonCircs

Wikipedia article
Pockets are older than the Mr. Pocket referenced above. Evidently they evolved from purses hanging from the belt. An interim stage was a slit in your coat so you could reach it.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket