Let’s face it: Bartering is no picnic. Once humans realized a medium of exchange might be useful in figuring out how much an ax was worth compared to a cow, money has made the world go ‘round.

Visitors to the American Numismatic Association’s Money Museum can see the many different forms, shapes and uses money has taken in the past 10,000 years in a new exhibit, “History of Money”.

“History of Money” poses the question: What qualifies as money? In essence, money is anything people will accept as payment in exchange for goods and services. From there, the exhibit traces money’s earliest origins and highlights money’s evolution across the ages – from cowrie shells to credit cards and beyond.

See “History of Money” for free during an opening reception on April 26 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the Money Museum. One lucky visitor will win a 2,000-year-old ancient coin during the opening. Visitors can take home a special National Coin Week medallette made in the museum’s Mini-Mint.

“History of Money” is a permanent exhibit in the museum’s lower gallery. Sections of the exhibit displays will change on a regular basis to highlight historically important items from the museum’s 275,000 piece collection.

For more information or to schedule a tour, call 719-632-2646.