Sistem Pertukaran Barangan

Sistem pertukaran diamalkan sejak zaman berzaman dalam sejarah peradaban manusia.Kaedah pertukaran sejumlah barangan oleh suatu pihak dengan komoditi tertentu yang dipercayai setara nilainya milik pihak yang lain,turut diamalkan di Melaka.Pedagang Melayu dan asing misalnya melakukan pertukaran barangan dengan penduduk asli seperti Jakun,Semang dan Senoi.

Hasil keluaran hutan seperti damar,rotan,cendana,akar kayu dan sebagainya ditukarkan dengan periuk tanah,pinggan mangkuk,garam,tembakau dan lain-lain yang dibawa oleh pedagang tempatan dan luaran.Selain daripada itu,di kalangan orang Melayu sendiri,sistem ini turut diamalkan.Pasar merupakan tempat pertemuan dan urus niaga pertukangan barangan dijalankan.Pedagang asing yang berniaga di Melaka turut menjalankan sistem perdagangan ini.Namun demikian,kaedah ini tidak begitu diamalkan lagi berikutan pengenalan sistem matawang di Melaka.

Barter trade had been practised from a very early stage in the history of civilization.This system,whereby  a quantity of goods belonging to one party is exchanged for commodities considered of equal value offered by another,was also practised in Melaka.For example,Malay and foreign traders would do barter-trade with the aborigines like the Jakuns,Semang and Senoi.

Jungle produce like resin,rattan,sandalwood,tree roots,and the like would be bartered for earthenware pots,plates and bowls,salt,tobacco and other products brought in by local and foreigh merchants.Barter trade was also practised within the Malay community,especially in market places where people met and engaged in business activity.Thus,foreign merchants who came to Melaka also participated in this trade system out of necessity.However,barter trade declined after the money system was introduced in Melaka.