Mesopotamian Sumerian Shell Currency

The Sumerian civilization, c. 3500–3000 BC, Southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq)

Magnificent and historically significant group of three ancient shell currency rings, among the earliest known forms of true money. These circular rings were cut from cone-shaped marine shells, carefully shaped and polished, and used as a medium of exchange during the formative period of Sumerian civilization. Examples of this type have been discovered at archaeological sites dating to c. 3500–3000 BC, contemporaneous with the rise of early cities such as Ur, Kish, and Larsa.

The shells were not native to inland Mesopotamia and were most likely transported from the Mediterranean coast, indicating the existence of long-distance trade networks linking southern Mesopotamia with Syria and the wider Fertile Crescent. Similar shell rings have been found in northern and western regions, including areas associated with the early urban centers of Ebla, Alalakh, and Ugarit, which formed part of major overland and riverine trade routes.

During the 4th millennium BC, international commerce in western Asia was conducted primarily through barter and negotiated exchange of commodities, as coined money would not appear until the late 7th century BC. For everyday local transactions, however, these shell rings functioned as a practical and standardized form of currency. Often strung together and worn as necklaces, they allowed for portability, divisibility, and ease of use—key characteristics of an effective monetary system.

As such, Sumerian shell currency represents a remarkably early experiment in economic abstraction and stands as a tangible testament to the sophistication of the world’s first urban societies.

Good condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Mineral encrustation. Size approx. 2,3cm x 2,1 cm. Sell as a set.

Provenance: British private collection