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