Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Bava Metzia 45 - Coins Used for Symbolic Exchange (Finds)

One possible acquisition method, "exchange," is based on "this was a custom in Israel... a man would give his shoe to the other". The object used for exchange must be a utensil. Usually, the seller pulls a kerchief from the buyer's hand, after which the thing is sold, and the buyer is obligated to pay.

Although paying the money can't finalize a sale, can the money be used for "exchange?" To signify the "exchange," one would announce it, or the coin would be returned. No! Even a golden coin can be removed from circulation, losing value, and that is fundamentally different from a utensil like a shoe.

Art: Three Pairs Of Shoes by Vincent Van Gogh


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