Are you money savvy?

Show me your money !

Cattles are probably the first form of money. Cattle as money dates back to 9000 B.C. Even in the middle of 2oth century Cattles were used as money in parts of Africa. Interestingly, the first coin was shaped like a cattle in bronze which is dated back to 2000 B.C. Coins with their value imprinted on them were first produced in Lydia (present day Turkey) around 650 B.C. Around A.D. 806, the Chinese invented and briefly used paper currency, but the first consistent use of paper money was by the French in the 18th century. The Massachusetts Bay Colony issued the first paper money in America in 1690. The colonies would later form the United States.

Now, how money savvy you are? Give a go at the following questions and have fun!

IBNS Bank Note of the year 2008: Samoa 20 Tala
Image credit: www.theisbn.org

Srilanka 1000 rupee note Image credit: www.theibns.org	Which of the following cities do you think will be most expensive to live? Also, try ordering the cities based on your guessed cost of living. a. New York, US b. Tokyo, Japan c. London, UK d. Moscow, Russia e. Sydney, Australia f. Shanghai, China g. Singapore, Singapore h. New Delhi, India Answer: [b] According to the Mercer study, Tokyo is the most expensive city to live in. The order is : Tokyo, Moscow, Singapore, Sydney, Shanghai, London, New York, New Delhi.
Kazhakstan 10000 Tenge note Image credit: www.theibns.org	Where do you think the most High Net Woth Individual millionaires (HNWI) are living? HNWI are Individuals who has more than a million dollar to invest. a. North America b. Latin America c. Europe d. Middle East e. Africa f. Asia-Pacific Answer: [f] The 2012 World Wealth report has found that with 3.37 million individuals Asia-Pacific tops the list of HNWI. US comes second with 3.35 million. Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa follow them in order.
Denmark 500 Kroner note Image credit: www.theibns.org	In today's currency-less plastic card world very few countries take extreme pain to manufacture artistic currencies. International Bank Note Society (IBNS) organization, established in 1961, recognizes the best artistic currency of each year. Do you know which of the following currency won the Banknote of 2011 award? You can see the image of these notes on the left column. a. Sri Lanka Rupees 1000 Note b. Kazakhstan 10,000 Tenge Note c. Denmark 500 Kroner Note d. Canada 100 dollar Note e. Tunisia's 20 Dinar Note Answer: [b] Among the above nominees (there are more than 5) Kazakhstan won the 2011 Bank Note of the year award. 2012 is in the nomination phase.
Canada 100 dollar note Image credit: www.theibns.org	Which country did not have a currency of its own till 1974? Bartering was the only way to sell or exchange goods till 1974. Of course, why should a country follow any global norm if it is not beneficial to them? a. Central African Republic b. Bhutan c. Democratic Republic of Congo d. Liberia Answer: [b] Bhutan did not opted for a currency till 1974. The current currency ngultrums is pegged to Indian Rupee and Indian Rupee is an accepted currency every where within Bhutan. Also, Bhutan is a Cash economy. Your Visa and Master card will not work over there. Moreover, you will find banks mostly near the capital city. So if you run out of cash there are no ATMs/Banks to supply you!
Tunisia's 20 dinar note Image credit: www.theibns.org	This country used another country's currency for a period before printing its own currency. a. Bangladesh b. Bhutan c. Pakistan d. East Germany Answer: [c] Since Pakistan was formed from India at a very short duration, they were not prepared with a currency of their own. Hence they used the Indian currency with a Pakistan stamp before they could print their own.

Hope you had fun !