yapens

Yapens are a type of traditional stone money that originated on the island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia. These large, disc-shaped stones, typically made of calcite or aragonite, are characterized by a hole in the center, which was used for carrying them with a stick. The value of a yapen stone was not determined by its size or weight alone, but also by the history of its ownership and the effort involved in quarrying and transporting it.

The quarrying of yapens was a complex and dangerous undertaking, as the stones were sourced from islands hundreds of miles away, primarily Palau. The Yapese people would travel by canoe to these distant islands, cut the stones using rudimentary tools, and then transport them back to Yap. The journey itself was perilous, and many lives were lost during the process. This arduous journey contributed significantly to the stones' value.

The ownership of a yapen was a matter of communal knowledge and reputation. When a stone was moved or exchanged, the details of the transaction were shared and remembered by the community. The stones themselves did not need to be physically present for ownership to change hands; the shared understanding of who owned which stone was sufficient. This unique system of exchange and ownership made yapens a fascinating example of a non-monetary currency. While still revered as cultural artifacts, the use of yapens for everyday transactions has largely ceased, replaced by modern currency.