Exchanging a toy for another, or a book for a new one, seems interesting. But what would happen if you were to exchange your essentials for things that were equally necessary? Such a transaction, called bartering, is where two beneficiaries exchange goods and services without giving or taking money.
This system was in practice centuries ago, before the invention of currencies. What began as an exchange of goods for meeting daily needs, later developed to the exchange of craft and fur items for expensive silk materials, spices, perfumes etc.
One of the main drawbacks of the system was that it depended largely on trust and need. There was no warranty for the goods one received, nor were they given a worthy exchange every time. Besides that it is very time consuming.