500 AD

RAI STONES

ISLAND OF YAP (OCEANIA)

Mined in nearby Palau and transported for use on Yap, rai were large, circular stone disks that served as currency. The physical possession of the rai stone was not important. What mattered was that the ownership was clear to everyone. Today, they are used for important social events such as marriage, receiving inheritance, political deals or signing of an alliance.