Item |
MBE |
Item |
MBE |
1 Whole Moose |
2 |
20 flints |
1 |
1 Black Bear |
2 |
1 gun |
10-12 |
1 Wolverine |
2 |
1 handkerchief |
1 |
1 Wolf |
2 |
2 hatchets |
1 |
1 Otter |
2 |
2 ice chisels |
1 |
1 Black Fox |
1-3 |
8 knives |
1 |
1 Red Fox |
1 |
2 looking glasses |
1 |
3-9 Marten |
1 |
12 needles |
1 |
1 Lynx |
1 |
2 scrapers |
1 |
12 Muskrat |
1 |
4 spoons |
1 |
¾ lb. beads |
1 |
2 shirts |
1 |
1 brass kettle |
1 |
1 pair shoes |
1 |
2 lbs. Sugar |
1 |
2 lbs. tobacco |
1 |
1 lb. Thread |
1 |
1 gallon brandy |
1 |
1 blanket |
1 |
5 lbs shot |
1 |
2 yards Flannel |
1 |
1 ½ lbs gun powder |
1 |
12 doz. Buttons |
1 |
4 fire steels |
1 |
20 fish hooks |
1 |
1 pistol |
4 |
Beaver was so valuable that it became almost like money. The values of all other furs and trade goods were determined by comparing their worth with that of a Made Beaver pelt. These tables provide the value of some trade goods in Made Beaver Equivalent.
The values of goods in Made Beaver often changed for many reasons. Season, location of the post, competition from other trade groups, the size and quality of the pelts, and the availability of furs all affected the value of goods being exchanged.
Definitions
Fire Steel = Fire Steel is a piece highly carbonated steel metal used for striking a spark
TRY THIS Pretend that you are a First Nations trader who has just brought in furs worth 30 MB. Use the tables above to make up a shopping list of items that you might buy. This activity can be done in groups or individually.
