Coins |
Among the critics list of anachronisms is ˇ°coinsˇ± (Key, 1; Tanner, 103-4). But the term ˇ°coinsˇ± is never actually used in the Book of Mormon text. The chapter heading of Alma 11 which mentions ˇ°coinsˇ± is in error and was inserted during a nineteenth century editing. It is not part of the original Book of Mormon text. Alma 11 does deal with Nephite money which is not anachronistic. Science 86, for instance, claims that in ancient Mesoamerica ˇ°cacao beans were used as moneyˇ± (Morell, 52). Not only were cacao beans used as money anciently but they were still used as money in Mesoamerica until about fifty years ago. Money need not take the form of coins as long as it serves as a standard measure of value. In the Book of Mormon Alma employs a monetary system based on weight units of metal (though not coins). It is interesting therefore to note that a recent excavation in Ecuador turned up 12,000 pieces of metal money thereby confirming that the ancient Americans used standard units of metal money (Sorenson, 1985, 233).
Michael R. Ash