The history of money in Indonesia begins with the ancient practice of barter trade, where goods and services were directly exchanged without the use of money.  

Over time, things such as rice, gold, and silver became widely accepted mediums of exchange in various regions of Indonesia.

The arrival of foreign traders, including the Chinese, Indians, and Arabs, further introducing coins and other forms of currency. 

Apparently, between 800 and 1600 AD transactions were made with gold and silver coins.  The first coins found in Indonesia came from the Sailendra dynasty.

In fact, there was not only coins but also beads. The Sriwijaya kingdom produced beads as money in Sumatra and spread out to Java, Kalimantan until Eastern Indonesia like Maluku.

By the end of the 13th century, the Majapahit kingdom used Chinese coins as money. People at the time paid by this kind of money. It happened until the Portuguese came to Indonesia in 16th century.

European brought gold coins from Portugal, Venice, and silver dollars from Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico. 

The gold and silver coins then became Indonesian main money for several hundred years. 

The first paper money appeared in 1752 by the De Bank Courant and Bank van Leening. 

However, Netherland just came to Indonesia in 1912, they introduce Indonesian people with the first paper money. 

The money is called Nederlandsch-Indische Gouvernementsgulden, made by De Javasche Bank.

Japan entered Indonesia in 1942, and they successfully made Nederland leave. Japan brought in new currency for Indonesia and closed the De Javasche Bank. 

The money was changed to De Japansche Regeering.