Money

Definition of Money

"Anything that is generally acceptable as a means of exchange and which at the same time acts as a measure and store of value."

Money can be defined as an object, record or anything that is generally acceptable for payment and repayment of economics debt in the economic context .In barter exchange, it requires a double coincidence of wants.

Coins were the earliest forms of currency after barter trade and were later followed by notes. Bank money can be described as the non physical form of money in supply in an economy. The major examples of bank money are direct deposits, cheques, money orders, debit cards and the other methods of money transfers.

The history of money can be dated back to as early as the start of civilization around 2000 BC in Mesopotamia and Egypt. The first and the earliest primitive form of money was the commodity money. Commodities such as hides, skins and some grins were universally accepted as medium of exchange. Then Metallic economy.

Functions of Money

Money performs five important functions :-

1. Medium of exchange : Money acts as a medium of exchange as it's generally accepted. On the payment of money, purchase of goods and services can be made i.e. goods and services are exchanged for money. Money bifurcates buying and selling activities separately so it facilitates the exchange transactions.
2. Measure of value : Money is a common measure of value so it is possible to determine the rate of exchange between various goods and services purchased by the people. Exchange value of commodity can be expressed in terms of money. For e.g. we can say that 10 metres of Cotton Cloth cost $220 dollars or Rs.10,000 rupees only.
3. Store of value : Money acts as a store of value. Money being generally acceptable and its value being more or less stable, it is ideal for use as a store of value. Being non-perishable and also comparatively stable in value, the value of other assets can be stored in the form of money. Property can be sold and its value can be held in money and converted into other assets as and when necessary.
4. Standard or Deferred payment : Money is also inevitably used as the unit in terms of which all future or deferred payments are stated. Future transactions can be carried on in terms of money. The loans, which are taken at present, can be repaid in money in the future. The value of the future payments is regulated by money.
5. Transfer of value : Value of any asset can be transferred from one person to another or to any institution or to any place by transferring money. The transfer of money can take place irrespective of places, time and circumstances. Transfer of purchasing power, which is necessary in commerce and other transactions, has become available because of money.