Robinson Crusoe's Money;
 or, The Remarkable Financial Fortunes and Misfortunes of a Remote Island Community

by David Ames Wells

"Robinson Crusoe's Money" by David Ames Wells is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work presents an allegorical exploration of the concepts of money and currency through the lens of a fictional remote island community, drawing inspiration from Daniel Defoe's classic character, Robinson Crusoe. The narrative methodically traces the evolution of economic systems from barter to the implementation of money, highlighting the complexities and implications of various monetary theories and practices. At the start of the book, the author introduces the island community and emphasizes the initial uselessness of money in the context of survival. Robinson Crusoe finds three bags of money among salvaged goods but quickly realizes that, without a means of exchange, currency holds no true value. As the population grows with the arrival of other characters, including Friday and English sailors, the narrative explores their transition from a barter-based economy to the adoption of a monetary system. The opening portions outline the challenges they face with direct trading and the subsequent necessity for a recognized standard of value, ultimately setting the stage for deeper discussions on the nature and role of money in society and its consequential impact on wealth and morality.