Ancient Times: The Birth of ‘Real Money’ 💰

• 4000 BC: Use of barley as a form of currency in Mesopotamia.

  Event	Significance
  Barley currency	Established the concept of commodity money.

• 3000 BC: Introduction of silver as a standard currency.

  Event	Significance
  Silver standard	Introduced a more reliable form of trade.

Classical Era: Coins and Standardization 🪙

• 600 BC: First minted coins in Lydia (modern Turkey).

  Event	Significance
  Minted coins	Standardized currency facilitating trade.

• 5th Century BC: Use of coins spread in Greece and Persia.

  Event	Significance
  Coins in trade	Boosted economic interactions between states.

Medieval Era: The Rise of Paper Money 📜

• 7th Century: Introduction of paper money in China.

  Event	Significance
  First paper currency	Revolutionized trade, reducing the need to carry coins.

• 13th Century: European banks start issuing promissory notes.

  Event	Significance
  Promissory notes	Provided a more adaptable and flexible currency.

Modern Era: The Gold Standard and Beyond 💳

• 19th Century: Establishment of the gold standard in many countries.

  Event	Significance
  Gold standard	Ensured stability and trust in currencies.

• 1971: End of the Bretton Woods system and the switch to fiat money.

  Event	Significance
  Fiat currency	Shifted reliance from physical commodities to government-backed money.

Digital Age: Cryptocurrencies and Future Prospects 🌐

• 2009: Introduction of Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency.

  Event	Significance
  Bitcoin launch	Signaled the rise of decentralized digital currencies.

• 2021: Mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

  Event	Significance
  Widespread adoption	Expanded the definition of what constitutes ‘real money’.