| Numismatics is the scientific study of currency | | | | cigarettes). The Kyrgyz people used horses as |
| and its history in all its varied forms. While | | | | the principal currency unit and gave small change |
| numismatists are often characterized as students | | | | in lambskins. The lambskins may be suitable for |
| or collectors of coins, the discipline also includes a | | | | numismatic study, but the horse is not. Many |
| much larger study of payment media used to | | | | objects have been used for centuries, such as |
| resolve debts and the exchange of goods. Lacking | | | | conch shells, precious metals and gems. |
| a structured monetary system, people in the past | | | | Today, most transactions take place by a form |
| as well as some today lived in a barter society | | | | of payment with either inherent, standardized or |
| and used locally found items of inherent or implied | | | | credit value. Numismatic value may be used to |
| value. Early money used by primitive people is | | | | refer to the value in excess of the monetary |
| referred to as "Odd and Curious," but the use of | | | | value conferred by law. This is also known as the |
| other goods in barter exchange is excluded, even | | | | "collector's value. |
| where used as a circulating currency (e.g., prison | | | | |