A closer look
You’d think an empire capable of building the Great Wall would demand cold, hard silver, but the Qing dynasty was inexplicably forced to accept snail shells. In the Yunnan province, cowry shells were so deeply entrenched as currency that locals flat-out refused to use copper coins or silver taels for centuries. Imperial accountants pulled their hair out trying to convert baskets of mollusks into state revenue. It wasn't until the 17th century that the government finally banned them, ending the most stubborn beach-based economy in bureaucratic history.
