BURMESE GAMBLERS' PORCELAIN-MONEY.
BAR-MONEY USED IN CHINA.
SILVER "SHOE-MONEY."
One of our illustrations exhibits what is probably the least valuable currency in the world—the porcelain currency used among the gamblers of Burmah and Siam. Originally intended as nothing more than counters, they have come to be regarded as money, but of very small value. They are of various shapes and sizes, with a figure or emblem of some sort on one side, and on the other an inscription in Chinese, stating how much such and such a merchant will give for them. I fancy it takes about a barrelful of them to make a "trade."
Probably the largest pieces of money that have ever been brought into existence are those known as "Money of Necessity." During the Stuart wars Charles I. and James II. both coined money of this sort out of silver plate, gun metal, or anything else that came handy. You will find such pieces in any museum, and they are of all shapes and sizes.
SIAMESE BULLET-MONEY—WEIGHING AN OUNCE DOWNWARDS.