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Show Queer "Currency" In Use in Country's Infancy The product most extensively employed em-ployed in the place xf coined money, before this country had a coinage, was the tobacco of the southern colonies, col-onies, especially of Virginia. For several years nearly all of the business busi-ness of that colony, both domestic and foreign, was carried on by means of tobacco until the enormous production produc-tion of the plant made restriction on its use as money necessary. Powder Pow-der and bullets were also used as money throughout the Colonies, in some of which the legal tender of bullets In payment was limited to a small number. In Massachusetts and among the New England colonies generally grain, fish aud furs were in common use as means of exchange, and not only in the settlement of private pri-vate debts but they were receivable for taxes as well. Wampum, which served the Indians in nearly all their business transactions, was early recognized rec-ognized in New England and valuations valua-tions placed upon it from time to time by the General court. |